Mint Condition an R&B band is popular for its various musical style, and also its fascinating live performances. The band plays anything from traditional jazz to mainstream R&B and rock-based music to funk grooves, and even Latin and Jamaican-based rhythms with ease and aplomb. Ever since its inception in the late 1980s, the band has been able to mesmerize audiences with their unique musical ability. Almost all the members of the band except for Ricky Kinchen, are the alumni of St. Paul Central High School.

Mint Condition belongs to Minneapolis, Minnesota and St. Paul, Minnesota, and was formed towards the end of 1980s. Lead singer Stokley Williams, bassist Ricky Kinchen, guitarist Homer O'Dell, pianist Larry Waddell, and keyboardist/saxophonist Jeffrey Allen form the popular band.

The band had been playing at a club in downtown Minneapolis called First Avenue, their music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis noticed them, and realized their potential. In 1989 Perspective Records signed a recording deal with the band. Their maiden album, Meant To Be Mint, was issued in 1991. The band was highly talented, and with their dance cut number "Are You Free", they tried to attract New Jack Swing listeners, but to their dismay they were not successful. The song stayed at #55 on the R&B charts. Things looked brighter with their stunning ballad "Breakin' My Heart, this number became very popular and remained on the charts for 34 weeks, reaching the R&B top 5 (#3), and the Pop Top 10 (#6). "Forever In Your Eyes" too climbed the charts and peaked at #7 R&B. Two years later the band issued their sophomore album, From The Mint Factory. The album went platinum and had hit songs such as; "U Send Me Swingin'", "Someone To Love" and "So Fine."

The band did not release any album for a couple of years, and finally in 1996 issued the album Definition of a Band. Like the first two albums, their third one too was a hit. The album reached the R&B Top 20, and had hit songs such as; "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" (#2 R&B), and "You Don't Have To Hurt No More" (#10 R&B). Again after a break of two years, the group released, The Collection: 1991-1998, a greatest hits compilation.

Perspective Records/A&M, collapsed and Mint Condition signed a recording deal with Elektra Records in 1999. They released their maiden album, Life's Aquarium, with the company in 1999. The main single, If You Love Me, from the album reached the R&B Top 5. The band did not release any material for six years, meanwhile keyboard player Keri Lewis, quit the band to produce for other artists, such as his wife, singer Toni Braxton. The band came back in the music scene as a quintet, and issued Living The Luxury Brown on their independent label Caged Bird Records. The album was at #1 on the Independent Album Charts. In 2006, the band issued an album, Live From The 9:30 Club, which had a performance of a concert at the 9:30 club in Washington DC.

Discography • Meant to Be Mint (1991) • From the Mint Factory (1993) • Definition of a Band (1996) • The Collection (1991-1998) (1998) • Life's Aquarium (1999) • Livin' the Luxury Brown (2005) • Live From The 9:30 Club (2006)