Crate Digger’s Gold: Steve Winwood – Steve Winwood

Per Allmusic.com:

“Rock fans had been waiting for a Steve Winwood solo album for more than a decade, as he made his way through such bands as the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic. When Winwood finally delivered with this LP, just about everybody was disappointed. Traffic had finally petered out three years before, but Winwood, using such former members as Jim Capaldi and Rebop Kwaku Baah, failed to project a strong individual identity outside the group. That great voice was singing the songs, that talented guitarist/keyboardist was playing them, and that excellent songwriter had composed them, but nothing here was memorable, and the long-awaited debut proved a bust.”

Hindsight is 20/20.  When I listen to this album now I can see the foreshadowing of mega-success that would come  few years later with “Arc of Diver” and “Back in the High Life.”  In 1977 this was  failure, but by the mid 80s this would be seen as amazing.  As always Winwood was an innovator.  Nothing like Traffic – Winwood could see the future of pop music.  Brilliant.