Mint Condition Life's Aquarium CD

With albums like LIFE'S AQUARIUM, Mint Condition helped secure its place as one of the most seasoned R&B acts of the '90s. This set is laced with precision arrangements, state-of-the-art production techniques, and most importantly, excellent songs. Tracks like "Who Can You Trust," "Spanish Eyes," and "Touch That Body" are fine examples of what makes the group tick.

Mint Condition is completely self-sufficient, producing and writing as a collective team. The group lent LIFE'S AQUARIUM a mellow mood, with mid-tempo tracks laced with pleasant harmonies. There's also enough of a funky sensibility to shine through the mix without overpowering more subtle elements. The best efforts here include "Is This Pain or Pleasure," "Be Like That Sometimes," and "Pretty Lady," which features Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band.

Recorded at Soul Studios, The Point Studios, Kinchens Rock House, Flyte Tyme Studios, and Lex Labs, Minnesota; O'Henry Sound Studios, California.

Personnel: Stokley (vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass synthesizer, drums, percussion, background vocals); Charlie Wilson (vocals); Ricky Kinchen (acoustic bass, bass guitar, background vocals); Chris 'Daddy' Dave (drums, percussion).

Audio Mixers: Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander ; Steve Hodge; Warren Riker.

Photographer: F. Scott Schafer.

Personnel: Stokley (vocals, acoustic guitar, bass synthesizer, drums, percussion); Esther Godinez (vocals); Jeffrey (saxophone, organ, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); O'Dell (acoustic & electric guitars, keyboards, drum programming, background vocals); KL (guitar, piano, keyboards, bass synthesizer, drum programming, background vocals); Lawrence El (accordion, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, Moog synthesizer); Ricky Kinchen (acoustic & electric basses); Chris "Daddy" Dave (drums, percussion); Dei Dei Deionne (background vocals).

Muzik (10/99, p.115) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...a fusion of live playing and much more modern drum programming. Always favorites in the UK, particularly for their downtempo prowess..."
Vibe (11/99, p.192) - "...an eclectic mix of songs dealing with the trials and tribs of intimacy and romance....it doesn't matter whether Mint Condition are genuine or laying mack down - as long as they keep stroking egos, we'll keep playing their songs."
The Source (10/99, p.241) - "...perhaps the band's toughest, most streamlined and focused recording to date....chucks the musical showboating of past efforts and sticks to simple but effective songwriting....satisfying and soulful."
Rap Pages (12/99, p.160) - "...an album that is the bomb, end to end....a dozen, soulful, tight tracks, blending nicely into a complete package. All of the mid- to up-tempo tracks are funky, while the slow jams contain that classic feel of old soul....superior quality material..." - Rating: B