Riley’s ability to write hooks that were both provocative and radio-friendly was at its peak.
"Long Time Coming" has had a lasting impact on the music world:
6. "Mary Goes 'Round" - 4:36 7. "Some People Don't Care" - 5:07 8. "Here I Am" - 4:49 9. "It's All a Game" - 4:06 10. "Do You Get Enough" - 3:50
The absolute crown jewel of the album. "Love You Down" was a smash hit, reaching number one on the R&B chart and top 10 on the Billboard Pop chart. It is a masterpiece of slow-jam funk—driven by a deep synth-bassline and Melvin Riley's falsetto, it remains a staple of urban adult contemporary radio. 2. "Mary Goes 'Round" Ready For The World- Long Time Coming -1986-.rar
Ready For The World’s sophomore album, Long Time Coming , released in 1986, remains a definitive artifact of the mid-1980s R&B and synth-funk landscape. Following the massive success of their 1985 self-titled debut, which yielded the chart-topping smash "Oh Sheila," the Flint, Michigan sextet faced the notorious "sophomore slump" challenge. Led by the charismatic Melvin Riley, the band delivered a record that deepened their signature "Flint Sound"—a distinct Midwestern blend of Prince-influenced Minneapolis funk, high-energy electronic sequencing, and smooth, yearning urban ballads.
: The cornerstone of the album, this track is one of the most recognizable slow jams of the 1980s. Its sparse, synth-heavy production allowed Riley's vocals to shine, creating an intimate atmosphere that defines 80s quiet storm radio.
Ready for the World, Long Time Coming, 1986, R&B, Pop, Funk, Retro Music, Classic Album, 80s Music. Riley’s ability to write hooks that were both
When the file finally unzipped and the first notes of "Mary Goes 'Round" hit the speakers, the distance between 1986 and the present vanished. The digital hiss of the rip couldn't mask the raw energy of the band. For that listener, and thousands of others who would download that same archive, the album lived up to its name—it was a sound that had been a long time coming, and it was finally home. 💿 Album Facts: Long Time Coming (1986)
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When looking back at the landscape of mid-1980s R&B, few albums captured the blend of funk, soul, and emerging electro-pop quite like Ready For The World's sophomore effort, Long Time Coming . Released in 1986, this project solidified the Flint, Michigan group as masters of the quiet storm and pioneers of synth-driven soul. For music collectors, the digital manifestation of this album, often found under the file name "," represents a high-definition slice of nostalgia, a compressed, modern way to consume a classic piece of vinyl history. "Some People Don't Care" - 5:07 8
Following the massive, chart-topping global success of their self-titled debut album and its smash crossover anthem "Oh Sheila", the six-piece band—fronted by singer and guitarist Gordon Strozier —faced intense industry scrutiny. Music critics wondered if the group from Flint could replicate the distinct electronic funk groove that heavily channeled the Prince-adjacent "Minneapolis sound".
Peak 1986 unlocked. 💎 Body: If you only know them for "Oh Sheila," you’re missing the real story. Long Time Coming is a masterclass in mid-80s Minneapolis-style synth-pop and heavy groove. From the digital percussion to those smooth-as-glass vocals, this album is a literal time capsule. Tag: #ReadyForTheWorld #80sFunk #VinylCommunity #LongTimeComing
By 1986, the musical landscape was rapidly shifting. The analogue funk of the early 1980s had completely given way to digital synthesizers, heavily gated drums, and intricate LinnDrum sequencing. Ready For The World—consisting of Melvin Riley, Gordon Strozier, Gregory Potts, Willie Triplett, John Eaton, and Gerald Valentine—were masters of this digital transition.
The album "Long Time Coming" was released in 1986 and features a mix of upbeat dance tracks, slow jams, and soulful ballads. Some notable tracks from the album include:
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