Ready For The World’s sophomore album Long Time Coming remains a definitive artifact of the mid-1980s R&B landscape. Released in 1986 on MCA Records, the album served as the crucial follow-up to the Flint, Michigan band's self-titled debut, which had launched them into stardom via the chart-topping smash "Oh Sheila." Driven by the distinct, elastic vocals of frontman Melvin Riley and a sophisticated blend of digital synthesizers, drum machines, and funk guitars, Long Time Coming solidified the group’s footprint in the post-Prince Minneapolis-sound diaspora, despite their industrial Midwest roots.
Why go through the trouble of hunting down this specific .rar file? Because Long Time Coming is a transitional artifact. In 1986, synthesizers were overtaking live instrumentation. Ready For The World stood in the gap.
a quintessential "slow jam" that remains a staple of 80s R&B. what went right with...? Chart Performance
– The titular track that anchors the album’s soulful roots.
The title track serves as an anthem of resilience and ambition. It bridges the gap between the band's garage-band roots in Michigan and their status as international pop stars. Ready For The World- Long Time Coming -1986-.rar
: Another R&B single released in 1987 to support the album's longevity. Complete Tracklist
– Another chart-hitting track from the era.
Decades after its release, the influence of Long Time Coming echoes through modern R&B, New Jack Swing, and contemporary Neo-Electro. The album remains a masterclass in mid-80s production efficiency, emotional vocal delivery, and the timeless appeal of the midnight groove.
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"Long Time Coming" was the lead single from Ready for the World's debut album, also titled "Long Time Coming." The song's infectious beat, catchy melody, and Ellis's smooth vocals made it an instant hit. The track peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
: A fascinating, upbeat piece that leaned heavily into experimental pop-funk storytelling.
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The familiar, synthesized heartbeat of the album opened up through his studio monitors. It was "Long Time Coming," the title track. But it was different. Slower. Heavier. The production was rawer, stripped of the glossy, radio-friendly polish that defined the 80s sound. Ready For The World’s sophomore album Long Time
: A high-energy, narrative-driven dance track featuring complex electronic percussion and a soaring synth hook. It served as another successful single for the group.
Having established a winning formula and public expectation, the band returned to the studio to craft their follow-up.
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.