Definition of a Band

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Definition of a Band is the third studio album by R&B band Mint Condition. It was released on September 24, 1996 on Perspective Records. Definition of a Band was Mint Condition's most successful recording to date- yielding both a hit single as well as a Gold certification from the RIAA.^[3]

Before the release of the album, the band were faced with label troubles. Their mentors and label heads Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis severed ties with Perspective Records.^[4] As a result, Mint Condition were moved to its parent company A&M Records, though the company kept the Perspective name for the release of Definition of a Band. This would be their final studio album released under Perspective Records. Another album released under the label was their greatest hits anthology The Collection (1991-1998)- an album that contained their hits alongside 12 inch versions, B-sides and remixes. They would move to Elektra Entertainment for their next album Life's Aquarium.

Background

The album charted at number 76 on the Billboard 200 and number 13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.

Two singles were released from Definition of a Band. The first single, "What Kind of Man Would I Be", charted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 2 on R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks. It sold 600,000 copies domestically and was certified gold by the RIAA.^[5][6] Its video was directed by art director Frank Kozik.^[7] The second single, "You Don't Have To Hurt No More", charted at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 10 on R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks. Its video was directed by Devo frontman Gerald Casale.^[8] This album is their third studio album to be mastered by Brian Gardner- who also worked on their previous album, 1993's From the Mint Factory as well as their 1991 debut Meant to Be Mint.^[9]

Track listing

^[10]

1. "Definition of a Band (Intro) (Stokley Williams, Chris Dave, Jeffrey Allen) (1:05)
2. "Change Your Mind" (Stokley Williams, Keri Lewis) (4:51)
3. "You Don't Have To Hurt No More" (Keri Lewis) (5:22)
4. "Gettin' It On" (Keri Lewis, Stokley Williams) (4:52)
5. "What Kind of Man Would I Be?" (Lawrence Waddell) (4:24)
6. "Let Me Be the One" (Lawrence Waddell, Stokley Williams) (5:01)
7. "Definition of a Band - Swing Version" (Chris Dave, Stokley Williams) (1:00)
8. "Ain't Hookin' Me Up Enough" (Ricky Kinchen, Keri Lewis, Lawrence Waddell, Stokley Williams) (4:14)
9. "Funky Weekend" (Homer O'Dell, Stokley Williams) (4:55)
10. "I Want It Again" (Stokley Williams) (5:10)
11. "On & On" (Keri Lewis, Stokley Williams) (4:40)
12. "The Never That You'll Never Know" (Keri Lewis, Stokley Williams) (4:38)
13. "Asher in Rio" (Interlude) (Jeffrey Allen) (0:31)
14. "Raise Up" (Homer O'Dell, Stokley Williams) (4:36)
15. "On & On" (Reprise) (Keri Lewis, Stokley Williams) (0:59)
16. "Sometimes" (Ricky Kinchen) (4:16)
17. "Missing" (Jeffrey Allen) (4:15)
18. "If It Wasn't for Your Love" (Lawrence Waddell) (1:19)

Personnel

^[11]

• Stokley Williams - vocals, drums, percussion, guitar, bass, keyboards, producer, composer
• Homer O'Dell - vocals, guitar, drums, percussion, producer, composer
• Ricky Kinchen - vocals, bass, keyboards, guitar, producer, composer
• Keri Lewis - vocals, keyboards, organ, piano, drums, guitar, producer, composer
• Jeff Allen - saxophone, vocals, keyboards
• Larry Waddell - keyboards, vocals, piano
• Chris Dave - drums, percussion
• Lil' Roger Lynch: Vocoder
• Mint Condition, Ira Ferguson, Jeff Taylor, Dave Rideau: Recording engineer
• Steve Hodge, Dave Rideau, Rich Travali, Keith Lewis, Prince Charles Alexander: Mixing
• Mint Condition, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis: Executive producer
• Brian Gardner: Mastering
• Lisa Pearson, Tom Tavee: Photography
• Greg Ross: Art direction & design

References