I have to say I’m really a lover of Mint Condition so when I heard the news that a new album would be released, I poured myself a glass of wine and toasted to the occasion. Anytime you have true musicians giving you real music like “Caught My Eye” and  “Not My Daddy” then “Walk On” to open for Prince aka The Purple Bandit for his “Welcome 2 America” tour, you need to break out your best china for this event. It’s like Linus awaiting the Great Pumpkin in the Charlie Brown Halloween special.

Their new CD, Music At the Speed of Life, scheduled for release September 25, 2012 will  include the funky head nodder “Girl of My Life,” which describes one of the band members’ experience as the odd man out in the search for love as he witnessed the rest of the band settling down. The track features DJ Jazzy Jeff and a riveting drum solo by Stokley. The unforgettable ballad “Completely” is a ballad about finally finding and accepting your place in life. “It speaks to how we’ve synched up both in our respective personal lives and as a working band,” explains Mint Condition. The inviting and free flowing “649 Changes” is another stand out and features Brother Ali and the M-Factory Horns lead by former Prince and Maceo Parker saxophonist Eric Leeds.

So if you’re a Mint Condition fan, join me as we raise a glass September 25th for the arrival of Music At the Speed of Life!!! 

And remember…….say thirsty, my friends! LOL!

R&B veteran Kelly Price is nominated for three Grammys this year. Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “Not My Daddy” featuring Stokley of Mint Condition. Kelly Price is also nominated for Best R&B Album for her sixth album Kelly.

Prior to becoming a recording artist, Kelly Price made a name for herself in the R&B world in the ’90s as a background vocalist and writer for many artists such as Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Whitney Houston, Yolanda Adams, The Isley Brothers and R. Kelly to name a few.

This year’s three nominations make a total of seven Grammy nominations for Kelly Price. To find out if she will win, tune in to the Grammy Awards on February 12 at 8/7c on CBS.

Stokley Williams of Mint Condition

As a music blogger, I get the opportunity to see a number of shows. Some of them are great and others make you question is it really a “live show” if an artist lip syncs to an autotuned vocal? Like seriously…should I be applauding this because I didn’t get the memo?!?!? But regardless of the debatable things I’ve witnessed, there are others that totally create a moment. For instance, I can think back to I my freshman year in high school, listening to the radio on my Panasonic boom box – yes….I did say my Panasonic boom box . After the DJ said something I can barely remember, I recall hearing these dramatic chords began by a 6 piece band with one lead singer subtlety whispering, “Pretty…..brown…….eyes”. The moment I heard Breaking My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes) , I knew Mint Condition not only played a chord in my ear but they left an imprint in my love for music. Not that it wasn’t enough that this band was under the direction of my favorite music producers, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, but I hadn’t heard a sound like that since precociously rummaging in my mother’s  old funk band albums.  (more…)

R&B isn’t going anywhere! Any form of music requires rhythm and if it’s gonna have soul, you need a little blues so R&B ain’t going nowhere!

-Kelly Price

Since her debut album, Soul of a Woman, Kelly Price has been known for her soul stirring vocals. Reminiscent of vocal powerhouses like Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston with a sparking songwriter’s hand, Kelly’s artistry has always carried an authentic approach to R&B.  However with so many chart topping artists who lack  the vocal range and songwriting skills to say anything meaningful, you wonder whether this honest art form of R&B and its rich tradition would make a definite comeback?  Would we lose appreciation for the melodic and mature story lines along with the emotional connection we’ve always known in this genre? After listening to Kelly’s current album release, Kelly,  I can honestly say she’s given a solid case and strongly defended the statement, “R&B ain’t going nowhere”. (more…)

You already know… just press play!

What’s that I hear??? Real R&B music? I’ve been throwing subtle hints over the last two years that I have been writing here at GFM that the music, this music was on its way back. Of course we all know that great music, great musicianship and great writing didn’t really go away but with so much garbage masquerading as R&B it is very easy to fall prey to the Jedi-Mind tricks. (more…)