A funky spine unites the many stylistic offshoots of American soul singer/songwriter Bill Withers. That common element drives the romantic desperation of “Better Off Dead”, the new-agey ‘80s backing of “You Try to Find a Love” and his empowering slogan “High on love and full of energy” on the burbling “Close to Me”. Even his rootsy version of Fred Neil's oft-covered "Everybody's Talkin'" brandishes a tight, snappy rhythm as its engine.