Playlist

Mr. Beverly, 61, gave a little history in the short break he took mid-set: Then called Raw Soul, the Philadelphia band went to the Bay Area in 1972. They were playing a night club in San Francisco and in walked Marvin Gaye. And the rest, as they say, is history. For a thankful (and still-standing) crowd, he didn't milk the band intros for very long. He didn't seem to need any time for resuscitation.

The band played hit after hit, starting with "Laid Back Girl" and "Southern Girl," with nary a pause between any of them. Constant touring seems to have kept this band tight. (I almost felt like I was betraying the vibe when I sat down to rest; never fear, the band launched into "We Are One" and I was forced back to my feet).

The crowd was peppered with all types, from families holding children up to see a real band to older couples to dancing single types. The band did not disappoint in the least; Mr. Beverly even pogoed throughout "Running Away." If anything, he exhibited more energy as the night progressed, through "Happy Feelin's," "Joy and Pain," "Before I Let Go," "Back in Stride," you hear the picture. And, as an encore, a very heartfelt "I Wanna Thank You."

Whereas opening act Dwele's set was like a lullaby, only lasting a little over 30 minutes, Mint Condition upped the ante, though the rumble of bass threatened to overpower lead singer Stokley Williams' silky voice and anything else you might have wanted to hear.

Mint Condition ended with "Pretty Brown Eyes," which the crowd had obviously been waiting for, reminded everyone to buy the new CD (E-Life), and got out of the way for the main event.

Overheard in the audience: "This is how you party." How right he was.

Notebook: To the usher who put us in the wong seats twice: Just so you know, it's hard to pay attention, much less take accurate notes, when you have to gather your things and waddle across the venue during a band's finale. You've got to know your house well enough to seat your patrons correctly. ... I apologize to fans who were at the K104 Summer Jam. I realize now that you might have very well been put in the wrong seats, causing a game of musical chairs that lasted throughout the night. ... A shoutout to Mint Condition guitarist Homer O'Dell, who by the end of the night had brought Prince's antics to mind more than once, once even crawling on the floor while playing. ... Mint Condition's newest CD was released in May. ... Dwele also has a new CD released this year, Sketches of a Man.