Their music captures an emotion and evokes it from listeners like few other acts can. This combination is what gives Mint Condition their magic. Williams sings with a lot of passion, which makes it impressive that the play of his bandmates can give off just as much energy as he does. The drum and keyboard contributions have great effect on the song, while amplifying the peaks and valleys in Williams’ temperament. "U Send Me Swingin' " shows off the power of Williams’ voice, but the musicians beside him play with just as much force and they prove it on the song "So Fine." The track features guitar riffs that'll make you scrunch your face up like the smell of spoiled food. His vocals are commanding as he pulls off notes and runs that can be matched by few. Yet as the song takes on traits of R&B at the time, it still stands out from the pack thanks to Williams. In addition to the trademark drums of the era, the song includes harmonies that were expected of vocal groups. If you need a visual, picture a slower version of Senegal's pregame dance during the World Cup. Like many '90s R&B songs, "U Send Me Swingin' " features a drum pattern that a group can two-step to in unison. The best example comes in the form of the LP's second single: "U Send Me Swingin'." But nonetheless, From the Mint Factory included songs that took on R&B traditions and enhanced them. When the band took part in the genre's trends, it was a choice rather than a necessity. With songs like "Fidelity," Mint Condition showed that it wasn't bound to R&B. The song's arrangement is as captivating as any number on the album, and Williams sings with the same vibrancy for which he is known. Yet, the song sounds anything but forced, which is a testament to Mint Condition's artistry. The song is powered by furious guitar play that would have been expected more from Nirvana than an R&B act. "Someone to Love" sports some jazz influence, but "Fidelity" is close to a full departure from R&B. His flourishes pop up often behind Williams’ vocals, creating emotive moments on what's mainly a mellow song. The following song is "Someone to Love" and it's punctuated by jazzy saxophone play from Jeff Allen. "Devotion" leads into a ballad that further establishes the band's versatility. Waddell's performance reminds listeners that Mint Condition's music is rousing even when the tempo slows down. His chord progression is moving from start to finish, as it shifts the song's mood from gloom to bliss. The song is less than a minute-long, but it lasts long enough to show the skill of keyboardist Larry Waddell. A prime example is "Devotion," a slow number that breaks from the club-ready tunes that mark Riley's sonic blueprint. Yet the band made it clear that it didn't depend on New Jack Swing. Williams’ singing combines with the play of his bandmates to form a feel-good song worthy of being the album's first single. He's one man, but displays the vocal force of a full group as he pulls off falsettos, harmonies and booming vocal runs. Front man Stokley Williams shows off his range on the song. Mint Condition didn't totally abandon New Jack Swing on its follow-up effort, as shown by the album's first full song titled "Nobody Does It Betta." The track features drum patterns and orchestra hits that are emblematic of Riley's sound. Meant to Be Mint boasted several songs that can be played behind hits from Guy and Bobby Brown, including "Are You Free" and "She's a Honey." For evidence, look no further than Mint Condition's 1991 debut. For years, the upbeat, hip hop-influenced sound permeated through many songs-even without Riley's involvement. In 1993, R&B was starting to transition from the New Jack Swing style crafted by Teddy Riley. This diversity in sound helped the band advance its career, and R&B as a whole, with its sophomore effort. Mint Condition didn't shun the trends of the day, but with their instrumentation they built upon genres other than R&B. Fittingly, the band added to the legacy built by its predecessors by centering its efforts on musicality. Mint Condition hailed from Minneapolis, the same city that bred Prince as well as Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Yet any doubts about Mint Condition's staying power were put to rest with the release of From the Mint Factory. But in October of 1993, Mint Condition were still a fairly new name to the masses, while Tony! Toni! Tone! were three albums into their run. Both acts are recognized as legends today. The two bands that gained acclaim from fans and critics alike were Tony! Toni! Toné! and Mint Condition. Yet some of the most remarkable music of the era came from a less-populated niche in the genre: bands. The decade saw the rise of a deep pool of talent-from solo acts to groups, producers to songwriters. The '90s remain a revered time for R&B fans, and the adoration stems from more than just nostalgia.
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