Arc of a Diver
| Arc of a Diver | ||||
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| Studio album by Steve Winwood | ||||
| Released | 1 July 1980 | |||
| Recorded | 1980 at Netherturkdonic Studios, Gloucestershire, England | |||
| Genre | Rock, Blue-eyed soul, new wave, synthpop, soft rock | |||
| Length | 40:02 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Producer | Steve Winwood | |||
| Steve Winwood chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| The New York Times | (favorable) |
Arc of a Diver is the second solo studio album by singer/multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood. All of the instruments featured on the album were performed entirely by Winwood.
Featuring his first solo hit "While You See a Chance", (which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States), this was Winwood's true breakthrough album as a solo artist. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album chart, establishing him as a commercially viable act.
The cover artwork for the album was by Tony Wright.
The album was recorded at Winwood's Netherturkdonic Studios, built at his farm in Gloucestershire; he played all the instruments, wrote all the music, and produced and engineered it himself.
Reviewing for AllMusic, critic William Ruhlmann wrote of the album "Utterly unencumbered by the baggage of his long years in the music business, Winwood reinvents himself as a completely contemporary artist on this outstanding album, leading off with his best solo song, "While You See a Chance."" Reviewing for The New York Times, critic Robert Palmer wrote of the album "Winwood's impressive playing and arranging and utterly distinctive vocals make several of his collaborations with Mr. Jennings, especially the brooding Night Train, almost as memorable."
The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
All songs written by Steve Winwood & Will Jennings except where noted.
Side one
Side two
Additional tracks
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Wikipedia