Mickey Hart's Mystery Box
The album combines Hart's percussion-based world music with the vocal harmonies of the British singing sextet the Mint Juleps.He combines the seemingly disparate world of percussion-based rhythms with traditional 'Western-style' structures containing lyrics by Grateful Dead wordsmith Robert Hunter.All the more diverse are the contributions of the Mint Juleps.... Their paradisaical harmonies support Hart's occasional leads, while they're effectively incorporated as primary participants on the infectious groove..."[1] In The Music Box, John Metzger wrote, "Overlaying the rhythmic sounds created by Hart, Giovanni Hidalgo, Zakir Hussain, Sikiru Adepoju, Babatunde Olatunji, and Airto Moreira are the sweet, soulful vocals of the Mint Juleps.What ensues is an album with more of a rhythm and blues feel than many Hart fans may be accustomed, but... persistence will pay off with tremendous rewards."[2] Roger Catlin of the Hartford Courant called the album "a surprising and enjoyable new direction that marries [Hart's] complex sense of rhythm with the naturally appealing sound of contemporary soul.... Just about the furthest thing from tie-dyed guitar-rock nostalgia as could be imagined, Mystery Box pulses with life and zings with harmonious energy.