English singer, songwriter, and synth wizard Steve Winwood has helped propel many groups to successful heights, including The Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, and Traffic. But he is perhaps known best as a solo artist, one of the most successful of the 80s. Winwood's solo chart career began to take off in 1981 when "While You See A Chance" soared to #7. After an interlude of minor hits, he came back in a big way in 1986 when "Higher Love" became his first #1 smash. From the monster album, "Back In The High Life," it was the first in a string of hits like "Freedom Overspill" (#20), "The Finer Things" (#8), and the title track, which featured James Taylor on backing vocals and went to #13. Winwood then revived some of his earlier 80s tracks and breathed new life into them, most notably the excellent "Valerie." "Valerie" only went to #70 in 1982 but its remix became a big hit in 1987, reaching #9. Windwood scored a second #1 with "Roll With It" in 1989, followed by another string of consecutive hits in "Don't You Know What The Night Can Do" (#6), "Holding On" (#11), and "Hearts On Fire" (#53). He'd finish his chart career after another album in 1990 produced a single entry when "One And Only Man" went to #18. Mining more of his early 80s material, "While There's A Candle Burning" is another overlooked gem.
Traffic was an English rock and jam band that formed in 1967 and launched big careers, including those of Steve Winwood and Dave Mason. Despite being a hugely influential band, they never achieved great chart success here in the US. Traffic never reached the Top 40 and only broached the bottom of the Top 100 a few times, most notably with "Gimmie Some Lovin'-Part 1," which reached #68 in 1971. Nonetheless, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. "Feelin' Alright?" is another one of those songs you'll recognize and think, "Seriously, that didn't get onto the charts?!" This classic tune comes from their 1968 self-titled album.
Dave Mason is a singer and songwriter from England originally known for his work in the band Traffic. He struck out on a moderately successful solo career in the 70s. His best known hit was "We Just Disagree," which peaked at #12 in 1977. Mason's only other appearance in the top 40 arrived in 1978 when his version of the Carole King hit "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" peaked at #39. While reaching a respectable #45 in 1978, I always thought "Let It Go, Let It Flow" was a winner that deserved better. Mason resurfaced in 1993 as a short-lived member of Fleetwood Mac.
