Their talent is unstoppable and their humour is so poignant but for Mint Condition it just comes naturally. Formed in the early 80's Mint Condition have exorcised the industry; cleansing the blasé churns of R&B and Soul to thought provoking lyrics.

Their times of yore may have been confined to the Oh so brilliant tracks, 'Pretty Brown Eyes' and 'What Kind Of Man Would I Be' but as Stokley so adamantly declares to Reminiscin' there's still more to come. More? That's right, Mint Condition are gearing towards their forthcoming concoction, an album that will no doubt be fathomless and soulfully alert.

With an abundance of zeal, despite their touring calendar the boys were looking crisp and well-groomed. Speaking to Reminiscin' we find out why Mint is so refreshing…

Would you say Mint Condition has a signature sound?
Jeff: Number one it is his voice (Stokley) it is unlike any other voice I feel in the industry. Along with the arrangements and some of the song writing - it is a little unorthodox at times. It is different, but I think his voice is probably the signature sound.
Number two, the song writing is very different there are not typical chord changes and things like that.

American bands/artists highly praise their hometowns -Minnesota being your hometown how did it teach you musically?
Stokley: The time we were coming out, Minnesota was coming up with Prince. The Minnesota music thing was really influential as well as many others. We were so influenced by a lot of local musicians.

Are there any particular aspects/elements from Minnesota that you are thankful for?
Stokley: Everything. We wouldn't sound like we do if we didn't have the expense of that, and by the time the whole Minnesota music exploded that really help to shape us.
Larry: I think the whole band concept is very Minneapolis. There were so many bands when we came out; everybody was in a band or from a band when we came out. Later it got to be that everyone got to do solo projects, but we came from a place where there was a lot of bands which probably influence us to do it the way we do it.

In your opinion having worked with Jam & Lewis's - why do so many bands and artists want to work with them?
Stokley: They are so musical. There is not a lot of musicality in music today. I mean theoretically or traditionally. I mean the way a song is structured- a traditional song would have an introduction, verse, a chorus and then something called a bridge, which is different then anything else in the song. But these days it is pretty one dimensional, the music is all the same all the way through. With them, like Jeff said, chord changes, great melodies and all this dynamic notes in one song. They are great lyricists too.

What project/s are you focusing on at present?
Rick: Production, just trying to make a lot of things happens. Focusing on this year, next year and for here on out- it's really good to hustle on.

Having a six year break - did the breather help you gain focus musically?
Stokley: Yeah, I think we all definitely felt at the time we weren't writing anything particularly but ourselves, there is something about that. There was no deadline and a lot of this stuff came out. I know for myself and everybody else we were writing and writing and all this stuff was coming out. It was definitely different in that way-it was like a release.

With most of you being song writers - does your inspiration come from self experience?
Larry: Everyone writes and everyone has their own experiences. We would pass the song along and scribble a few lines, and then it would be like throw the bass, and then the drums. It is basically from a lot of experiences. Rick is the Master of experiences - it is something I admire him for. I mean I get inspired and I write something, but that is not necessarily the way, sometimes it is and sometimes it's not. He is kinda teaching me to be real with it, be honest with it.
Rick: If it is something that you can't really relate to then what is the purpose of writing about it.

Has there ever been a topic/experience that you were uncomfortable or found difficult writing about?
Stokley: Everybody has got their certain style of writing-there are realistic writers and there are fantasy ones. If you have to write for someone else you have to have a kinda knack for it; a certain amount of research about it, studying it, and writing it in a certain style.

If there is a performance you could relive again - what would it be and why?
Stokley: There is so many. It is hard to pinpoint one spot 'cos every spot has their thing, whether the people or the beaches. It could be the Pina Colada or something else; there is always something about each place. People have always been appreciative, especially now. Coming back and people showing us that love.

With this year's tour- why did you include the UK on your agenda?
Stokley: It's very important. We are really concentrating expanding our borders and making it worldwide.
Jeff: London is the gateway to Europe pretty much coming from the US. Getting back over here and get it going - Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.

With traveling being apart of a musician's territory-what countries have you visited and would class as your second home?
Jeff: Mexico
Stokley: Yeah, Mexico

Holidaying - are you sun seekers or Eskimos?
Stokley: I like the sun. I don't like to burn in it, but I do like the sun. I think Minnesota provides you with that desire to leave because it is cold at times. Sometimes it's just too cold for too long (laughs).

How do celebrate good times - Birthday's etc? Monumental moments?
Jeff: Yeah Happy Birthday man, (looks at Stokley and laughs) I'll give him (Stokley) a call; lately it has been oh no I forgot (smiles). He gets a pat on the back (laughs).

If you guys had the evening off and was not performing - what would be your plans?
Jeff: We would find out who is playing.

Related Links:
> www.mintconditionmusic.com
> www.myspace.com/mintconditionmusic
> Mint Condition - E-Life Tour - Interview