Search - Ready for the World :: She Said She Wants Some

The Band

Sheila Chadwick | Indiana | 08/23/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"According to Jamie Foxx, she said she want some Ready For The World `cause they will definitely set the party off right. That was the case in 1985 when they took the world by storm with my theme song "Oh Sheila" and it is still the case with their new cd, She Said She Wants Some.



The funky band that put Flint, Michigan on the map is back and more ready than ever. With Willie Triplett on Percussions, Gregory Potts on Keyboards, Gordon Strozier on Guitar, Gerald Valentine on Drums, John Eaton on the Bass and Melvin Riley as the lead vocalists, this CD is reminiscent of some yester-year baby making tracks. RFTW took the sensual road and delivered a mature project which displayed their writing and producing talents. After hearing songs like "Sticky Love" and "Up & Down", I wanted nothing more than to holler at these guys and find out exactly what's up with them, these days.



Bump what you heard about RFTW slipping on Jeri curl juice and falling off the map. That's the biggest lie told since the crazy man on Market Street in San Francisco tried to sell me the Golden Gate Bridge. That is a big misconception about them. They have been consistently writing, producing, performing and venturing into other interests independently since their last top R&B album and the curls have been gone since the fade stepped in and replaced it. Now days, you might find any one of the guys rocking braids, a short cut or a sexy bald head, staying true to their trend setting appeal.



After their bout with MCA, the band was slept on. With the incarnation of the boy bands, bubble gum acts and new millennium manufactured artist, the guys were never offered a major deal or an opportunity to write and produce for other acts until Jay King of Thump Records stepped to them. "It took a couple of months for us to decide" they explained. "Being seasoned artists, we had to make sure that everything was cool. After careful consideration, we realized that this would be a great opportunity for us to get back in the forefront".



I asked the guys what is different about RFTW now compared to what we knew about them as a group back in the day. "We are the same guys playing music" they replied. "We're humorous, grown and serious about what we are doing. Aside from this project, we're touring" they clarified. "We are basically doing spot dates but we're trying to get a major road tour in the works possibly with Tony Toni Toné, New Edition and Keith Sweat".



Now days the term "old school" basically describes anything that happened yesterday so I wondered if the guys considered themselves to be old school. "Hell No!" They ascertained. "Contrary to popular belief, we have been recording and performing continuously and our music is ageless. We have been and always will be ahead of our time in terms of our talent and sound."



Well I must admit that it was a pleasure to talk to these guys and the group along with the label is very excited about this project. No matter what song they play, I will always think of this band as a full package of musicians and singers who hit the ground running and have never stopped. Of course "Oh Sheila" will always be my favorite song by them and quite honestly, I think that an "Oh Sheila, part 2" wouldn't be a bad idea (especially with me staring as the video girl ).



Regardless of how I chose to remember them, they shared with me that they want their audience members to know that they are musicians "whose music is long lasting". They make "forever-type" hits so quit equating them with those damn Jeri Curls and just hear the music!



©2004 Word On The Street"