Multi Grammy award nominee Stokley Williams premieres new single “Level” off his debut studio albumย Introducing,ย a refreshing artistic statement rooted in the soul music tradition from one of R&B’s most remarkable voices featuring Robert Glasper, Estelle and more…
Considered one of the best R&B bands in the genre, Mint Condition lead vocalist and drummer Stokley Williams has released a solo album.
After over two decades as the lead vocalist for the incomparable hit making band, two time Grammy Award nominee Stokley Williams charters a new course with his breathtaking debut solo albumย Introducing. Featuring guest appearances by the likes of Grammy winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper and Estelle as well as production from multi platinum duo Carvinย Hagginsย & Ivan Barrias (Ledisi, Tamia, Kenny Lattimore),ย Introducingย is long awaited by fans.
While Stokley was content with his band of brothers in Mint Condition as well as his outside collaborative endeavors, he realized that the time had come for him to embark on a musical voyage in a vessel meant for him to steer.ย Introducingย finds Stokley stepping into the spotlight, a vibrant portrait of an artist on a quest to cultivate a creative statement as an individual. The album offers listeners a fresh perspective of a dynamic voice that has resonated with core fans around the world for over two decades.
Stokleyย enlisted the efforts of Carvin Haggins & Ivan Barrias. Responsible for the success and hits by such multi platinum acts as Musiq, Jill Scott, Ledisi and Faith Evans, the Philadelphia based duo contribute to the fabric of Introducing in a way that superbly compliments Stokleyโs mellifluous vocal style.ย Introducingย also includes co-writing contributions from Sam Dew and Los Angeles based songwriting group The A Team.
The albumโs groove laden lead single โLevelโ finds Stokley wielding his mighty pen as a songwriter, weaving lyrics of affirmation over a propulsive rhythm guitar driven track.
Stokleyย says,
โWe all seek to find someone or something that fits just right for us. Everybody wants something that fits with them comfortably. Something on their level.โย
The singer notes that the title of another Hagginsย & Barrias produced track “Organic” is also a nod to his newly vegan lifestyle. Partially inspired by current sociopolitical events and the deliberateness and critical commentary of Marvin Gayeโs landmark 1971 hit โWhatโs Going On,โ โWe/ Meโ finds Stokley reverberating with the times in an earnest yet piercing take on various sociopolitical state of affairs buoyed by undertones of the Motown sound โArt In Motion (featuring Robert Glasper)โ is a wondrous sonic hybrid of eras and production techniques. Shifting gears, the dancehall flavored Stokley produced โWheels Upโ exudes maximum island vibes and features Jamaican singer Omi (of the 2011 triple platinum hit โCheerleaderโ).
While working on his solo project, Mint Condition’s Christmas albumย ย Healing Season, was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards.ย Stokleyย also co-produced several tracks on Waleโs critically acclaimed albumsย The Giftedย andย The Album About Nothingย – both of which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts.
It has been said that good things come to those who wait. For more than 20 years, fans have been patiently biding their time in hopes of a solo project from the lead vocalist of one of the most important R&B bands of the past several decades. With the bowing ofย ย Introducing, itโs safe to say the wait is over.ย ย โObviously some of it is going to be familiar, because of my voice. Iโveย just expanded my sensibilities a bit more.ย Introducingย is a look at the past and the future. The fresh and the familiar.โ
Congratulations Stokley, we wish you success.