by Alex Henderson
From a soul standpoint, Back to Back was the strongest album that Little Milton recorded for Malaco in the 1980s. Though the CD contains a few noteworthy 12-bar numbers (including &Penitentiary Blues& and &It's Hard to Explain&), R&B is dominant. Those who fancy 1970s-type soul shouldn't miss Milton's passionate, confessional storytelling on such treasures as &(I Had) Too Much Heaven Last Night,& &Caught in the Act (Of Gettin' It On)& and the heartbreaking &I Was Tryin' Not Break Down.& The gruff, big-voiced singer/guitarist even breathes some life into &Wind Beneath My Wings,& a corny pop ballad that was unbearably insipid in Bette Midler's hands but is easier to take when Milton gets a hold of it.