Ready For The World (debut 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 Lyrick Studios.

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 charts, where it peaked at number 6. Their second single, "Deep Inside Your Love", also peaked at number 6 on the R&B charts.

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 charts, and the dance charts; it even managed to reach the UK, where it charted number 50. "Digital Display" reached number 21 on the pop charts, it managed to reach a peak of number 4 on the pop charts, as well as also charting number 3 on the dance charts.

The last two singles, "Slide Over" and "Ceramic Girl", did not chart as well as past singles. 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&amp;B album charts.

Track listing

 * 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

 * 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 & Big Idea 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