Ready for the World (Ready for the World album)

Ready for the World is the eponymous debut album from the Michigan-based band Ready for the World. It was self-produced by the band and released in September 17, 1985 by MCA Records.

Ready for the World
Studio album by
Ready for the World
ReleasedSeptember 17, 1985
Recorded1984–85
GenreFunk, electro, soul, pop
Length42:28
LabelMCA
ProducerReady for the World
Ready for the World chronology
Ready for the World
(1985)		 Long Time Coming
(1986)
Singles from Ready for the World
  1. "Tonight"
    Released: 1984
  2. "Deep Inside Your Love"
    Released: 1984
  3. "Oh Sheila"
    Released: 1985
  4. "Digital Display"
    Released: 1985
  5. "Slide Over"
    Released: 1985
  6. "Ceramic Girl"
    Released: 1986
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[2]

History

Of the nine songs appearing on the original album, a total of six were used as singles. The lead track, "Tonight", never charted on the Billboard Hot 100, only reaching number 103. But the single charted on the R&B chart, where it peaked at number 6. Their second single, "Deep Inside Your Love", also peaked at number 6 on the R&B chart.

The band would rank higher on the charts with their next single, "Oh Sheila". It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the R&B chart, and the dance chart; it even managed to reach the UK, where it charted at number 50. "Digital Display" reached number 21 on the pop chart, number 4 on the R&B charts, as well as also charting number 3 on the dance chart.

The last two singles, "Slide Over" and "Ceramic Girl", did not chart as well as past singles.[3] Later, the album cut "Human Toy" was used as the b-side for their 1986 single, "Love You Down".

Sales

Despite the last two singles' low airtime, the album itself sold well, and was later certified platinum for reaching sales of over one million copies. It reached a peak of number 17 on the pop album charts, while reaching number 3 on the R&B album charts.

Track listing[4]
  1. "Tonight" (Melvin Riley Jr., Gordon Strozier) 4:58
  2. "Digital Display" (Gregory Potts) 5:36
  3. "Ceramic Girl" (Riley Jr., Strozier) 4:17
  4. "Deep Inside Your Love" (Riley Jr., Strozier, Potts, John Eaton) 4:22
  5. "Oh Sheila" (Riley Jr., Strozier, Gerald Valentine) 4:00
  6. "Human Toy" (Riley Jr.) 4:32
  7. "Slide Over" (Riley Jr., Strozier, Potts, Valentine) 5:03
  8. "Out of Town Lover" (Riley Jr., Strozier) 5:02
  9. "I'm the One Who Loves You" (Riley Jr., Strozier, Potts) 4:32

Personnel[5]
  • Melvin Riley Jr.: vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Gordon Strozier: lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gregory Potts: keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • John Eaton: bass, backing vocals
  • Gerald Valentine: drums, electronic percussion
  • Willie Triplett: electronic drums & percussion, backing vocals

Production
  • Arranged and produced by Ready for the World for Mignon Productions
  • Associate Producer: Bernard Terry
  • Recorded and mixed by Bernard Terry and Louil Silas Jr. (at Silver Sun Recording; Flint MI), except tracks 1, 4 & 9 (recorded & mixed by Bernard Terry & Greg Reilly). Tracks 4 & 9 mixed at Digital Disc.
  • Tracks 2, 3 & 5-8 remixed by Louil Silas Jr.; engineered by Taavi Mote, with assistance by Dan Monroe
  • Mastered by Future Disc Systems

References
  1. Theakston, Rob. Ready for the World review at AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
  2. Christgau, Robert (1990). "Consumer Guide '80s: R". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  3. Ready for the World singles chronology
  4. Songwriters as found at discogs
  5. Personnel and production information as found at discogs
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