The opener on many vinyl editions. This track is a masterclass in tension-building. The arpeggiator runs are crisp and relentless. With FLAC, you can follow each individual note of the sequence as it decays.
The "Get Ready" album by 2 Unlimited stands as a remarkable achievement in the electronic and dance music landscape of the early 90s. Its blend of catchy hooks, relentless beats, and pioneering production techniques helped define an era. The availability of such albums in high-quality audio formats like FLAC ensures that new generations of music lovers can experience these classic works in their full sonic glory. Despite the confusion regarding the release year in the initial subject line, the essence of "Get Ready" remains untouched - a testament to 2 Unlimited's enduring legacy in electronic music.
2 Unlimited – Get Ready! is the debut studio album by the Belgian/Dutch Eurodance project, released on February 24, 1992, by Byte Records. A cornerstone of early 90s dance music, the album introduced the world to the high-energy combination of producer-led techno beats and the vocal duo of Ray Slijngaard and Anita Doth. Album Overview
Produced by Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde, Get Ready! served as a bridge between the underground Belgian rave scene and the mainstream Eurodance explosion that would follow. While the group is often remembered for their global hits, this debut captured a "scrappy," high-bpm energy that was slightly more raw than their later pop-focused releases.
Chart Success: The album reached #12 in the Netherlands and #37 in the UK.
US Impact: It was a rare Eurodance success in the United States, peaking at #197 on the Billboard 200 and eventually achieving Gold certification for sales exceeding 500,000 copies. Tracklist & Regional Variations
The album exists in several versions. The original European release was often divided into three thematic parts: Vocal, Instrumental, and Romantic. For the US and UK markets, the "!" was dropped from the title, and the instrumental tracks were largely replaced by extended versions of the hit singles. Standard Tracklist (European CD): The Magic Friend
In 1992, the Belgian-Dutch duo 2 Unlimited unleashed their debut album, Get Ready!, a record that would define the early Eurodance sound and become a staple of global sports culture. The story of this album is one of rapid international success and a strategic pivot that helped a European techno act break into the notoriously difficult American market. The Sound of a Global Hit
Produced by Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde at Soundsational Studio, the album’s centerpiece is the legendary track “Get Ready for This”.
Dynamic Duo: The track introduced the world to rapper Ray Slijngaard and vocalist Anita Doth, creating a high-energy "rap-and-sing" formula that dominated '90s dance floors.
Sporting Anthem: Beyond the charts, the title track became one of the most frequently played songs at sporting events worldwide and gained lasting fame through its appearance in the 1996 film Space Jam. Album Structure and Regional Variations
The album was famously divided into three distinct segments in its original European release: Vocal, Instrumental, and Romantic.
European vs. US/UK Editions: While European versions kept these divisions, the US and UK editions omitted many instrumental tracks to make room for extended mixes of the hits.
Bonus Content: The US version uniquely included the track “Pacific Walk,” while European fans enjoyed the "Romantic Part" ballads like "Eternally Yours". Impact and Reception
Despite some critics labeling it "cheesy techno," the album's commercial performance was undeniable:
Get Ready For This — The 2 Unlimited Story with Ray Slijngaard
The year is 1992, and the global music scene is undergoing a seismic shift. In the underground clubs of Belgium and the Netherlands, a new, high-octane sound is bubbling up:
. At the center of this storm sits a Belgian production duo, Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde, who have just unleashed a project that will define the decade’s sonic wallpaper. The album is "Get Ready!" , the debut studio effort from 2 Unlimited The Arrival of the Duo
The project wasn't originally intended to be a duo. De Coster and Wilde had created an instrumental track called "Get Ready for This," but they realized it needed a human element to truly cross over. They recruited Ray Slijngaard
, a rapper working as a chef at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, and Anita Doth
, a singer working in the administrative department of the Amsterdam police force.
When they stepped into the studio to record the vocal version of the title track, they didn't just make a song; they created a blueprint. Ray’s staccato, rhythmic raps provided the "street" energy, while Anita’s soaring, anthemic choruses provided the pop hook. The Sound of 1992 Listening to the album in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec)
today reveals the mechanical precision of the era. Unlike the compressed MP3s that would follow years later, a lossless rip of the 1992 CD captures the raw, biting punch of the Roland TR-909
drums and the aggressive, "hoover" synth stabs that characterize the early 90s rave sound. "Get Ready for This"
: The album opener remains one of the most recognizable sports anthems in history. In 1411kbps fidelity, you can hear the distinct "growl" of the synths that defined the "Techno-Pop" hybrid. "Twilight Zone"
: A darker, more driving track that showcased the duo's ability to blend Hi-NRG with a moody, atmospheric edge. "The Magic Friend"
: A quirky, upbeat track that highlighted the lighter side of the rave movement. Cultural Impact Get Ready!
was a commercial juggernaut. It didn't just sit in the dance charts; it invaded the mainstream, peaking in the Top 40 across Europe and the US. It proved that "techno"—a term used broadly by the public at the time—could be structured into verse-chorus-verse pop songs without losing its club-ready soul. For the audiophile, the
version is the "Holy Grail" of this era. It preserves the dynamic range before the "Loudness Wars" of the late 90s flattened the peaks. You get the full thump of the kick drums and the crispness of Anita’s vocals, transporting the listener back to a time of neon windbreakers, glowsticks, and the dawn of a digital revolution. synthesizers used to create those iconic sounds?
The story of 2 Unlimited’s debut album, Get Ready! (1992), is a tale of how a Belgian producer duo and two Dutch artists accidentally created the blueprint for Eurodance and the most iconic "Jock Jam" in sports history. The Origin: From Instrumental to Global Icon
In 1991, Belgian producers Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde created an instrumental club track titled "Get Ready for This"
. Recognizing its potential but wanting a more "radio-friendly" format, they sought vocalists. Rapper Ray Slijngaard was recruited, and at his suggestion, vocalist Anita Doth joined to provide the melodic hooks. The "Jock Jam" Legacy
: While the album reached #37 in the UK and #12 in the Netherlands, its lead single became a cultural phenomenon. It remains one of the most frequently played songs at NBA and NHL games. The "Y'all Ready For This?" Hook
: The famous vocal sample was actually added by UK producer Pete Waterman for the British release, sampling rapper The D.O.C.'s 1989 track "It's Funky Enough". Album Structure & Regional Differences
Released on February 24, 1992, the album varied significantly by region: 2 Unlimited Talks - Get Ready For This (Episode 1)
Let’s be honest: Get Ready! is not a subtle album. It is a blueprint. Before the album even dropped, the single "Get Ready For This" was already the unofficial anthem of every sports stadium, highlight reel, and aerobic workout video on the planet. But hearing it in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a different experience.
Where MP3s from the early 2000s made the Roland TB-303 bass sound like a wet mosquito, the FLAC rip of Get Ready! restores the thump. You can finally hear the separation between Ray’s rapid-fire hype vocals and Anita’s soaring, melodic hooks.
A slightly lighter, breakbeat-driven track. Anita’s vocal takes center stage here. In standard MP3, her voice can sound thin; in FLAC, you hear the natural reverb of the recording booth and the subtle breath before the chorus.