Ranking the Best Mint Condition Albums

Can we just call Mint Condition one of the most underrated collectives in R&B history?

Think about it – they have plenty of hits and, as we’ll soon discuss, they have plenty of exceptional albums too. But you rarely hear their names brought up among the 90s R&B greats, despite Stokley Williams’ vocal excellence and the group’s seamless instrumentation.

So today, we’re gonna show love the R&B’s premier band. Homer O’Dell, Larry Waddell, Jeff Allen, Keri Lewis, Rick Kinchen and Stokley are trailblazers in their own right, so let’s celebrate their landmark career by revisiting and ranking their albums. As always, we’re skipping the Christmas album and, in this case, we’ll exclude Stokley’s solo and separate group albums.

8. Music @ the Speed of Life (2012)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Ten years ago we received the final MC album to date and … it was OK I guess. As always, the band is impressive, making the production the biggest standout. The songs themselves, though, are a lot more uninspired than their previous outings. Everything is professionally produced and performed, but very little will stick with you after the record stops spinning.

Forgotten favorites: “What I Gotta Do,” “Completely,” “SixFortyNine/Changes”

7. Livin the Luxury Brown (2005)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Livin the Luxury Brown is Mint Condition’s first album sans Keri Lewis, who was the group’s longtime secret weapon and one of the most underrated writers of his era. The groove is laid back on this one – almost too laid back. Between the mellowness and the longer-than-needed runtime, this one drags a bit. There’s still a few strong tracks that will satisfy longtime fans but this album needed more focus.

Forgotten favorites: “Love your Tears,” “I’m Ready,” “Luxury brown”

6. E-Life (2008)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: First line of the album: “Man, I gotta add her to my top 8!” Boy, that doesn’t sound dated at all in 2022! Clearly, E-Life is all about love and life in that futuristic year of 2008. Such an innocent, pre-Twitter era. Anyway, E-Life has a surprisingly goofy vibe. The guys sound like they’re having a ball celebrating their kids … and their golddiggers … and their pimp juice, which makes for an infectious listen. Honestly, the lighthearted tone threw me for a minute. It takes awhile for things to get going but, around halfway through, the album begins to gel nicely.

Forgotten favorites: “Moan,” “Right Here,” “Nothing Left to Say”

5. 7 (2011)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: By 2011, Mint Condition was 20 years in and they hadn’t lost a step. Though it’s their shortest album at just 11 songs, 7 doesn’t shortchange listeners – in fact, the tight runtime helps keep things consistent. And of course this album is home to Stokley’s rafter-rattling duet with Kelly Price, “Not your Daddy.” That song should have been on the top of the charts for 87 weeks. It’s yet another underappreciated gem in a crown filled with them.

Forgotten favorites: “Walk On,” “Unsung,” “Ease the Pain”

4. Life’s Aquarium (1999)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: This album marked a new beginning for Mint Condition, as it’s their first release for Elektra after their longtime run at Perspective Records. With so many great R&B albums dropping around this time, it feels like this album slipped through the cracks. It’s a lot more unassuming than their earlier releases due to the smaller range of hits, although it did give us “If You Love Me,” which is still my personal favorite MC track. Though a couple of songs miss the mark, Life’s Aquarium doesn’t flounder. Heh.

Forgotten favorites: “Be Like That Sometimes,” “Pretty Lady,” “This Day, This Minute, Right Now”

3. From the Mint Factory (1993)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Just LOOK at that album cover – that thing SCREAMS 1993. And by 93, R&B was slowly freeing itself from New Jack Swing’s stranglehold, which gave MC a bit more room for experimentation. Those conditions gave birth to not just some of their biggest hits – YOU SEND ME SWANGANNNNNNNN – but a few upbeat album cuts that still hold up. Their complex instrumentation and stellar harmonies link for an incredibly engaging experience. If their debut album didn’t make you a believer, this sophomore set proved they were here to stay.

Forgotten favorites: “Back to Your Lovin,” “Always,” “10 Million Strong”

2. Meant to be Mint (1991)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Where it all began. R&B was knee deep in the New Jack Swing era, so that sound is still reflected here. While I had grown very weary of that sound by by 91, Mint Condition were to spice up the formula with their debut, making them immediate standouts in a landscape that was starting to become pretty homogenized. In fact, it was the songs that broke the mold like “Breakin My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” and “Forever in Your Eyes” that would put them on the map. You don’t hear this album referenced much in those New Jack Swing retrospective pieces but you should. Give MC credit for putting their own stamp on an incredibly popular wave.

Forgotten favorites: “Single to Mingle,” “Do U Wanna,” “Here We Go Again”

1. Definition of a Band (1996)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: The third time proved to be the ultimate charm for Mint Condition. Definition of a Band is their most successful album to date, and that’s thanks to a couple of top 10 R&B singles and arguably Stokley’s best vocal performances. Also, it’s the greatest showcase of the band’s diversity, bouncing from funky, upbeat cuts, rock outings and hip-hop inspired production. But their bread and butter will always be those slow jams and they’re top tier here. The best albums are always much more than the hit singles they spawn, which is why Definition of a Band is such a complete work. For MC, it doesn’t get better than this.

Forgotten favorites: “On & On,” “The Never That You’ll Never Know,” “Sometimes”

What’s your favorite Mint Condition project? Let us know below.