The band Mint Condition has been on the radar of St. Louis R&B lovers since their debut single “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” became a favorite of the “Quiet Storm” era of the early 1990s.
They are known for cranking out beloved slow jams like “What Kind of Man Would I Be,” “You Send Me Swingin’” and “Nothing Left to Say.” The live experience they present every time they hit the stage has also earned them a hardcore fanbase among concertgoers – and lends to the legend of musicianship in their native Minneapolis, made famous by Prince.
A crew of musical Renaissance men, most play more than one instrument and contribute to the songwriting and production within the group. In concert, they shift from one instrument to the next. Lead singer Stokley Williams showing off on drums usually gets the most reaction.
The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is reminiscent of Prince in how he sets the tone for the band’s performances. He typically works up a sweat by hopping on at least three instruments over the course of the show – in between crooning and dancing through their catalogue of hits. The rest of the band rises to meet Williams’ energy.
In two weeks, St. Louis will see Williams going at it as a solo artist for the first time when his “My Level” tour plays the Touhill on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 17) in a show presented by AJ Mack Entertainment and VBBM Entertainment.
There’s no drama or mess that led to him stepping aside from Mint Condition after 30-plus years. It’s simply Williams’ opportunity to show fans more of who he is as an artist and an individual.
“I am telling my story and my journey – the evolution through music,” Williams told Minneapolis NBC affiliate KARE-11 TV. “We are switching through different genres and eras and time in music, my influences and where I sit inside of all of that stuff.”
Williams’ musical journey began as a founding member Mint Condition when he was still in high school. They set themselves apart as a group of teens who played original music among a roster of steady gigging cover bands throughout their native Twin Cities. They soon caught the eye of Morris Day and The Time alumni turned super producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – who have created timeless music for the likes of Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men and Usher.
Their debut album “Meant to be Mint” included “Breakin’ My Heart” and “Forever In Your Eyes.” It was the first of nine studio albums and a dozen hit singles.
Williams has made a name for himself aside from the band as a producer, musician and songwriter, with collaborative credits that include the Luther Vandross, Prince Jill Scott, Toni Braxton and Usher.
But the release of last year’s “Introducing Stokley” marked his first full musical departure from the band where it all began.
Williams is taking the good with the bad of his 30-plus years within the industry and lending it to his next chapter as a solo artist.
“Everybody has ups and downs in the industry,” Williams told The American. “You forget the experience, and you keep the lesson.”
AJ Mack Entertainment and VBBM Entertainment’s presentation of Stokley Williams’ “My Level” tour will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 17 at UMSL’s Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, call (314) 516-4949 or visit
https://www.touhill.org/events/detail/stokleys-my-level-fathers-day-concert.
