Back in the High Life
| Back in the High Life | ||||
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| Studio album by Steve Winwood | ||||
| Released | June 30, 1986 | |||
| Recorded | Autumn 1985-Spring 1986 | |||
| Studio | Unique Recording Studios, The Power Station, Right Track Recording, Giant Studio, NYC; Netherturkdonic Studio, Gloucestershire UK | |||
| Genre | Rock, blue-eyed soul, pop | |||
| Length | 45:03 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Producer | Russ Titelman, Steve Winwood | |||
| Steve Winwood chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Back in the High Life | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Robert Christgau | C |
| Rolling Stone | favorable |
Back in the High Life is the fourth solo studio album by English rock musician Steve Winwood. Released in 1986, it was a top ten hit on the album charts in the United States, peaking at #3, and has sold over five million copies. The single "Higher Love" topped the singles chart and won the Grammy Award for "Record of the Year"; "Back in the High Life Again" (US #13), "The Finer Things" (US #8, the second biggest hit from the album), and "Freedom Overspill" (US #20) were also big hits. This was Winwood's last studio album with the label, Island Records after 20 years with the label. The album also features collaborations in backing vocals, featuring Chaka Khan in "Higher Love", and James Taylor in "Back in the High Life Again". It also features the Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh performing slide guitar and co-writing the track "Split Decision".
Back in the High Life received very positive reviews. Timothy White of Rolling Stone magazine glowed that "With Back in the High Life, Steve Winwood has created the first undeniably superb record of an almost decade-long solo career", criticizing only the delay in its release. Karyn Albano, writing for the website "Classic Rock Reviews" went even further, designating it Album of the Year, with the summary description that "the album achieves that elusive goal of combining great songs that will stand the test of time while also catering to the commercial appeal of the day." Long-time critic Robert Christgau was less charitable, however, remarking that "this is the fate of a wunderkind with more talent than brains."
All tracks written by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings except where noted.
Adapted from the AllMusic credits
^shipments figures based on certification alone
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