Ready For The World Returns to Centerstage with ‘So Much Life’
RTFW – Vocal Funk Band Blended In Slight Rock Leanings and New Jack Swerve
“During the period 1985-87 there were few acts that were bigger than Ready For The World. Their Jheri curl look made them the young heartthrobs of Soul music, and their series of hit dance cuts and ballads, while not terribly original, were absolutely infectious.
– Soul Tracks
READY FOR THE WORLD ascended upon the music scene in 1985 with stage presence and hit songs that helped skyrocket their career and solidified their status as bonafide international musicians, with the release of songs like “Oh Sheila,” “Love You Down” and “Digital Display.” The Flint, Michigan funk band with slight rock leanings, and new jack style parlayed sensuous vocals and trendy production into the group’s eponymous self-produced debut album, Ready For The World.
They first scored sizeable hits with the first two singles, on MCA Records, releasing ballads “Tonight” and “Deep Inside Your Love.” But it was their third single from the album, the magnificent Prince-sounding electronic dance tune “Oh Sheila,” that moved the group to the top of the Pop and Soul charts.
“Oh Sheila” garnered four #1 positions on Billboard’s R&B, Pop, Dance and Video charts in just one week. That year becoming the first ever single by a group to hold the #1 spot on four Billboard charts simultaneously landing the group in the Guinness Book of World Records. The song propelled the group to platinum status, generating millions in album sales, as one of the year’s biggest cross-over cuts, garnering international fame. They scored their fourth consecutive top ten R&B record with “Digital Display,” and paved their way as chart-topping musicians.
The song’s manic energy, feverish bass line and focus on a long-gone lover helped drive it to the top of the Hot 100, although its chart-topping status hasn’t prevented listeners from mistaking it for a Prince track to this day. – Rolling Stone (circa 2016)
Today RFTW returns to their original roots on their new single, with the signature sound that popularized their name. The new track “So Much Life,” marks the rebirth of a band who came up in the music era of the 80’s when music collaborations were far edgier and more provocative. The song is a blend of trendy keys with a distinguished hint of vocoder riffs and vintage lead guitar that talks about how a woman can fill a man’s life. http://artistecard.com/readyfortheworld#!/musics/132017
“It’s an honor to have lasted three decades in the music industry and now come full circle after such a long hiatus. It is a true blessing we each will not only make the best of, we intend to enhance the overall music experience for years to come rejuvenating the art by playing and encouraging more live instrumentation in music,” express RFTW.
Their latest sounds and global appeal is again witnessed on their 2019 [yet untitled] album, scheduled for release on their independent label, Ready For The World. Ushered in with the band is new lead vocalist Ray Lavendar, (“My Girl Gotta”),replacing former lead singer Melvin Riley.
In 1986 members Gerald Valentine (drums), John Eaton (bass guitar and background vocals) Gordon Strozier (guitar, keyboards, background vocals), Melvin Riley (lead vocals) Gregory Potts (keyboards, background vocals) and Willie Triplett (keyboards, percussion, background vocals) tabbed local rock producer Gary Spaniola for their sophomore disc, Long Time Coming, which proved to be an equal success. The slow jam, “Love You Down,” landed them another cross-over hit, climbing to #1 on Billboard’s R&B charts, and reaching #9 on the Pop charts.
That same year the group was featured on The Beverly Hills Cop III soundtrack, as well as co-produced a song with Rod Templeton (Thriller) on the Running Scared soundtrack. Ready For The World went on to release Straight Down To Business; but ultimately decided to spend more time working creatively as music songwriters, producers, studio sound engineers and video producers.
The band is currently on a national tour, performing their hit songs from the 80’s and in support of “So Much Life.” When not entertaining audiences on stage, the guys spend their days in the recording studio putting the final touches to songs on tracks, in preparation of the release of their new album.
With today’s state of R&B music diluted in commercial appeal, fans who are thirsty for real music—a lot of instruments, the real band and an essence of being able to perform as entertainers, audiences will be ready for the world!
To connect with Ready For The World
Official Website: http://www.readyfortheworld.com
Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/rftwmusic
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ReadyForTheWorld
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RFTWmusic
Instagram: @ReadyForTheWorldOfficial
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/readyfortheworld
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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