The Best of the Spencer Davis Group [EMI America] (CD - 1967)

Personnel: Steve Winwood (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Muff Winwood, Spencer Davis (vocals, guitar); Pete York (drums).

Liner Note Author: Alan Warner.

Say what you will about Traffic, Blind Faith, and his ongoing solo career, but when Steve Winwood leaves this earth, the song every radio and TV station will play in his memory will be "Gimme Some Lovin'." And for good reason: this single is a stone classic, the best two-and-a-half minutes British R&B ever produced, and yes, that includes the early singles by the Rolling Stones.

The amazing thing was not that this skinny, spotty 16-year-old from the Midlands sounded just like Ray Charles, but that Winwood and his mates nearly matched the potency of that single not once, but twice, with the stunning "I'm A Man" and the ska-inflected burner "Keep On Runnin'." All three singles are the highlights of this 15-song compilation, which features b-sides, rarities, and solid album tracks alongside all of the group's magnificent mid '60s singles. minimize