Meant to Be Mint

Released in 1991 on Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis's Perspective Records, Meant to Be Mint served as the world's introduction to the Minneapolis-based sextet Mint Condition. At a time when New Jack Swing and hip-hop soul were increasingly reliant on drum machines, Mint Condition stood out as a fully functional live band. This debut captures the group at their most hungry, blending the 'Minneapolis Sound' - characterized by tight funk and synth-heavy pop - with a sophisticated R&B sensibility. The album's centerpiece, 'Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes),' became a multi-platinum hit and a permanent fixture on R&B radio, showcasing the band's ability to craft timeless ballads. Critically, the album was praised for its musicianship and Stokley Williams' versatile vocals. It remains a foundational text for the 'live band' revival in R&B that would later influence the Neo-Soul movement.