Four Mints

Biography

The Four Mints were a vocal group from Columbus, Ohio, consisting of Ben "Pete" Caldwell (lead vocals), James Brown, Donald Russell, and Jimmy Harmon. Active primarily in the late 1960s and early 1970s, they recorded for Bill Moss' Capsoul Records label, establishing themselves as one of the most influential local group harmony outfits in the Columbus soul scene. Their musical style blended R&B with soulful vocal harmonies, bringing conviction and authenticity to their performances.

The group achieved their greatest commercial success with their second single, "Row My Boat," written by arranger Dean Francis, which hit the R&B charts and became their biggest record. The success of this track led to the release of their only full-length LP, Gently Down Your Stream, in 1973—a creative zenith that showcased the group at their professional and intuitive peak. The album featured backing musicians from across the Midwest, including vibraphonist Billy Wooten from Indianapolis and drummer Bobby Allen of the Fabulous Originals from Dayton, Ohio, creating what amounted to a Midwest super-group sound.

Despite their artistic achievements and regional touring success across the Washington D.C. area, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan, the Four Mints disbanded after their third single, "Can't Get Strung Out" (1973), failed to gain traction. The group's legacy was preserved when Bill Moss reissued their LP on CD in 1995 as The Original Four Mints. Today, they remain recognized as Northern Soul favorites, with their work included on compilation albums such as Dynamite Soul Harmony, and they continue to be appreciated by soul music enthusiasts for their honest, homegrown approach to vocal group harmony.

Fun Facts

• "Row My Boat" was a favorite of young groups and bedroom-mirror singers, and consistently brought ovations when performed by locals at talent shows throughout Columbus.
• The group's first single, "You're My Desire," was written entirely by lead singer Ben "Pete" Caldwell and later became a Northern Soul favorite, appearing on compilation albums including Dynamite Soul Harmony.
• Most of the material on the 1973 Gently Down Your Stream LP had been previously released as 45s, with the exception of one track that was saved from the scrap heap, making the album a retrospective of their singles career.
• The Four Mints' only LP featured a roster of backing musicians that read like a Midwest super-group, drawing talent from Indianapolis, Dayton, and Columbus to create a world-class production.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bill Moss - Columbus music doyen and Capsoul Records label founder who signed the Four Mints and facilitated their recording career (Capsoul Records releases; Gently Down Your Stream LP production) [late 1960s–1970s]
• Dean Francis - Arranger and mega-talent who arranged the Four Mints' material and wrote "Row My Boat," their biggest hit (Gently Down Your Stream arrangements; "Row My Boat") [early 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Billy Wooten - Vibraphonist from Indianapolis who provided backing instrumentation (Gently Down Your Stream LP) [1973]
• Bobby Allen - Drummer from the Fabulous Originals (Dayton, Ohio) who provided percussion backing (Gently Down Your Stream LP) [1973]

External Links

• Spotify