The 1986 album "Back in the High Life" may have sold more copies, but "Arc of a Diver" is Steve Winwood's best solo album. It contains the smash hit "While You See a Chance," and plenty of other smooth jazzy pop songs in the same mode. There is not a bad song in the mix, though the standouts are "Slowdown Sundown," "Spanish Dancer," and "Dust." Though fans of Winwood's days with Traffic may lament the lack of adventurism on this album, those who love great songcraft will feel right at home.

During my MTV days, Steve Winwood's big 80's splash with songs from Back In The High Life didn't go unnoticed by me. After discovering that album and Chronicles, I had the good fortune of someone loaning me her tape of Arc Of A Diver, which I copied. My interest in his second solo album was due to the upbeat "While You See A Chance." Winwood's sweeping organ-like synths open his first Top Ten solo hit-it reached #7 in 1981-along with the accompanying lively piano that gives it a radio-friendly beat, with some downright introspective lyrics on if one is truly free from the past and ready to take another road one blue morning with a gray wind blowing. I find myself enjoying this song more than "Higher Love."

The title track reached #48 on the singles chart, a slower midpaced affair. "Spanish Dancer" along the same languid lines, may be an example of what many called "lazy music" to describe Winwood's early solo stuff. This song was included on the Chronicles compilation made to cash in on the success of Back in The High Life.

I wonder why "Second-Hand Woman" wasn't a chart-topper, as it's a more lively affair with Winwood's trademark keyboards set to a disco beat. Some racy imagery is present with the title woman being "a slot machine to take my dime" but it is quite the danceable track. The same holds true for the near eight minute on-the-run opus "Night Train" with its funky beats mixed with guitars, particularly a solo around the six minute mark, and the usual keyboards. A single mix of this could've done well, but alas.

Two non-singles in particular strike me and both are slow songs. They are "Slowdown Sundown." A wistful ballad, calling wine that "glassful of memories" and something to soothe the balm of yesterday's pain. The tempo goes up during the bridge, which is a toast to whoever can understand this madness of life. The closing track "Dust" is the other song which also deals with memories one wants so bad to go away, in this case meaning time with a woman, yet how to deal with a love that's gone, but a friendship that still remains? Indeed, "a feather duster is no substitute for the real thing," meaning time, "the universal healer." That brings to mind the Dr. Who quote "the sands of time wash us all clean."

Mellow, but not "lazy music" as was described by some, Arc Of A Diver shows that Winwood still had some life in him following Traffic. Considering the turn-of-the-decade changes going on in the music scene, i.e. punk and new wave, it's fortunate that Arc found an audience. And Winwood played all the instruments on the album, much like Prince had done his own debut For You. Despite having only seven songs, Arc benefits from a consistent synth-keyboard style, upbeat dance tunes to reflective ballads.

I buy a ton of music - a lot still on CD - and I am a big fan of the deluxe remastered and repackaged format. Unfortunately this is one of the weakest I've encountered. The remaster of the album itself is solid and sounds great. The liner notes are weak; they seem almost incomplete and include lyrics for only some songs (not Sundown, Slowdown). The jewel pack has a Deluxe band around it and I think it's a cheesy sticker! Feels bootleg. And the extras are some on the weakest I've encountered. Alternate versions of two of the weaker songs and an interview??? In retrospect the single remastered original disc would have been fine. Really a missed opportunity as this was a strange and exciting time in Winwood's career.

I had this album when I was in high school, and it took me several years to get around to replacing it. Sound quality is great. Good stuff.

This is a really good album if you're interested in Steve Winwood and want to experience his talent as a composer and musician. He plays every note and sings every melody. The album has a mellow tone but I've always felt he leans a bit towards sort of a jazz rock style. While it won't blow you away it's a nice solid piece addition to any music library.