The Four Mints

Columbus, Ohio natives' Ben "Pete" Caldwell, James Brown, Donald Russell, and Jimmy Harmon were The Four Mints, a four-man vocal group and band that recorded for Bill Moss (6), Producer and owner of Columbus-based Capsoul Records in the late 60s/early 70s. The group's first single, Four Mints* - You're My Desire / You Want To Come Back in 1969 got limited play in some minor markets. Caldwell, the lead singer, wrote both sides of the midtempo ballad (later included on compilation albums, Dynamite Soul Harmony, and Northern Soul Classics). Their second release was probably their finest moment, Four Mints* - Row My Boat in 1971, led by Caldwell and written by Dean Francis. It was a #1 record in Columbus, and a regional hit record up the Eastern Seaboard and throughout the Midwest. It was a favorite of young listeners as well as groups and always brought ovations wherever it was performed. "Row My Boat" hit the R&B charts, and was the group's biggest record. To promote their most popular single, Capsoul took them on a successful regional promotional tour to the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area, Kentucky, , West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan, etc. The group's only album, The Four Mints - Gently Down Your Stream, was released in 1973 and did well. But, a third and final release, Four Mints* - Can't Get Strung Out / In A Rut, same year, did not chart, so, disenchanted, the group disbanded, temporarily, not long afterwards. (Moss reissued the Gently Down Your Stream LP on CD in 1995, as The Four Mints - Gently Down Your Stream) on the Numero Group Label.) For the doo wop - rock 'n' roll quartet, please use The Four Mints (2)