Customer Reviews

Live from the 9:30 Club

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just as the title states for this review, Mint Condition is the real deal. For those who have not experienced Mint live, this cd is a must have for your collection. It's the next best thing to being at a live performance. Tracks include a musical trip down memory lane from the "Meant to be Mint" release to their present "Livin' the Luxury Brown". It's wonderful to have Mint Condition back after such a long musical release hiatus. I look forward to more music from these real musicians.

I have respected some of the things that Mint Condition has done over the years.I ain't feeling the past couple of albums too much&I feel they are just playing it safe.but Live they still pack a Mean Puch. Stokley Williams the Leader&Drummer of the Band is a talented cat,who just didn't have that right song to truly showcase all he could be. Mint Condition is One of those bands that should have been better than what they put out. this album shows there skills as Musicians. Hit&Miss Songwriting. but this is a cool Album.

As with just about most of the classic self contained soul/funk bands in history from the JB's, Sly & The Family Stone,EWF all the way up through The Time there's always been a big difference in how they all respond in a live element. Whether it be a huge stadium or an intimate club setting songs that were shortened for radio airplay could be extended,unreleased material could be included and (especially with EWF) numbers presented as brief interludes could become musically involved instrumentals. I always felt,even at their best Mint Condition didn't always benefit from some of the glossier production and somewhat digitized rhythmic patterns on their studio albums. And one thing that had continually been said about them is what a spectacular live band they were. So they concert,recorded in 2004 at DC's 9:30 Club presents the band not only interacting with the audience but free of some of the more restrictive elements of the studio.

Now true be said something of a slogan people have made from the band is "real musicians playing real music". And truthfully there is a little sense of having that thrown in your face a bit here. On the other hand,it's something Mint Condition should be proud of. And it makes for the best moments here. A lot of numbers on this set such as "Is This Pain Or Pleasure","Whoaa" and "I'm Ready" are from their (then forthcoming) Livin' the Luxury Brown and are somewhat more jazzy and intimate than their studio counterparts though not by too much. The biggest differences come on versions of songs from their first two records such as "You Don't Have To Hurt No More" and "Breakin My Heart"-somehwat heavily produced new jack era ballads in the studio,heavily rhythm jazz-funk here with some incredible drum soloing on the latter. Same story with "Call Me",again very rhythmically stiff on Life's Aquarium but less constrained here. The tough rocking "Swole" is a heavy unreleased smoker along with "What You Bring To The Party",both potent jams along a version from 1996's "Funky Weekend" that,again brings out more of the JB's type vibe than the mildly processed studio take did.

Instrumental interludes such as "Th Tempest" and "Mintal" became longer jazz-funk numbers with some intense soloing. The only minor flaw of this album is,ironically that it does showcase how wonderful they are as musicians/instrumentalists. The trouble with that is it focuses equal attention to their occasionally weak songwriting and somewhat typical lyrical focus. Now sometimes the lyrics are deep romantic emotional swells. Other times? Basically the type of "street love" type themes of early period R.Kelly-more in a modern hip-hop setting. My personal opinion is when your presenting music like this,a little of the gospel/philosophically inspired takes on the subject matters of an EWF or James Brown usually has it's effect. Or the clever wordplay and wit of The Time. Aside of these little foibles for any doubters of the pure instrumental capabilities of Mint Condition this album is very likely to set any such thoughts to rest in a hurry.

Mint Condition is a cadre of young, talented artist so under appreciated. They contribute to the cannon of great American music, period. They are genre benders, and pathway a course of nobility in musicianship hard to compare with they're contemporaries. Support them, buy their music, and celebrate black artists, proud to be American!

Gene the Jazz machine, Portland, Oregon

Mint condition live sounds so much better than their music on the radio I was really impressed their music has a more 'grownup' appeal than what has been played on the airwaves more songs like "you don't have to hurt" and "so fine" would be great.

If you have never seen these guys live before, here is your chance listen at this live recording, raw and uncut of a Mint Condition concert. I absolutly love it and you will also. I love Mint Condition forever.

Mint Conditio is without a doubt one of the best R&B BANDS of their time. I remeber back when I was eleven and first heard Pretty Brown Eyes which is still a timeless slow jam. All of the classic slow jams are on the CD from You Don't Have To Hurt, Is This Pain or Pleasure, I'm Ready ,What Kind Of Man Would I Be and my personal favorite Whoaa which echos back to Earth, Wind & Fire's Reasons. If you want to hear some real R&B then check this CD out.

Mint Condition's 'Live From The 9:30 Club' is their 1st Live CD, and it's a must have for fans of real music. These Brothers are PLAYING instruments & writing great songs, not using samples to get cheap hits. It's a shame that the market wont stand behind talent like this. At any rate, Stokely & Co. performs most of their major hits, as well as some choice cuts from the previous 'Living The Luxury Brown' CD. There's also a DVD for this same concert, so pick that up if you have some extra cash. You won't be sorry.

Pros - Great sound, songlist, these Brothers are the REAL DEAL!
Cons - There's fading between some tracks...takes away from the continuity.

This is the next best thing! One of their earlier performances before the release of their latest album "Livin' The Luxury Brown" this live cd gives you just a "taste" of how dynamic this group truly is. That true talent of this group shines as you listen to their classic tracks that sound like they could have been newly released yesterday. For all Mint fans and true musicians, this is a MUST.

CD was used and shipped fast. However, the last two songs skip on the cd.