Back In The Highlife - Steve Winwood

This was one of those albums that was almost synonymous with the release of CD, so therefore one of the early arrivals into our house in Hartlepool. The music on the album was perfect for the fledgling format; bright, upbeat, clean and featuring one of the most distinctive voices in rock music.

Listening to the album twenty-odd years after its release it not surprising really that the music has dated a little - it was after all so drenched with 80s sonic features that this was inevitable; synth orchestral stabs and funk bass being the obvious crimes of the time.

What did surprise me was just how good the track 'Back In The Highlife Again' still sounds. It was my favourite at the time, featuring on many a compilation tape, and this is still the case. It has not aged in the slightest - a class 80s pop single with a great melody and top mandolin intro.

The rest of the songs are standard 80s fare, elevated to a higher level by the great soul voice of Steve Winwood.