Back In the High Life

iTunes Review

The 1980s were defined by high-tech productions specializing in electronic grandeur that made even the quietest songs sound as if they were being transmitted across the universe by laser jet. Pop songs were produced with an ear towards keeping things exciting with hyperactive keyboards and exaggerated electric guitars screaming into the endless night. Steve Winwood had been an earthy experimenter, fusing jazz, folk and psychedelia into his own homegrown rock, most notably with his group Traffic. His solo career began a search for a voice that could stand on its own and he’d hit upon the winning formula with the infectious “While You See A Chance” on his second solo album, Arc of a Diver. With his fourth solo album, Back in the High Life, he hit his jackpot with nominations for six Grammys, winning three. “Higher Love” and the title track came to define the ‘80s bright, plucky style and the remainder of the album continues in this sleek, forward-moving style. “Take It As It Comes,” “Freedom Overspill” and “Split Decision “ are jammed with ramped-up horns, perky keyboards and commanding beats as oversized as the best of the era.