Traffic was an eponymous rock album by the band Traffic, ranging from psychedelic rock to Acid Jazz. It was their second release, coming out in February of 1968. The group would disband after this album, but would come back together fairly quickly.

Genres and Styles

• psychedelic rock
• folk rock
• jazz rock
• acid jazz
• rock and roll
• art rock
• progressive rock
• British rock
• Blues rock
• smooth rock

Overview

After their debut album, Mr. Fantasy , Traffic planned a more mainstream album, possibly without as many drug references and psychedelic influences, but with the songwriting of Steve Winwood staying on course. Before they began recording, they decided to reinstate Dave Mason as the band's bassist. What would come out of these decisions was the first hit album from the british unique rock band called Traffic. The incredible mix of Chris Wood's excellently styled flute along with the writing skills of Winwood and Mason, made an album fans could appreciate. Wood's flute playing was even compared to that of Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull, widely knows as the best rock flutist of all time. Winwood and Mason never collaberated which turned out to be best, as they both went their own interesting ways in songwriting for this album. Mason's fun, but well-constructed, tunes such as "You Can All Join In" and "Feelin' Alright" caused more people to look deeper into Winwood's odd style and Capaldi's interesting lyrics, which did catch on after this release. In the end, it was Winwood's songs that propelled Traffic to success with "Pearly Queen" being the favorite of most.

It was released with Island Records, and runs 40 minutes and 24 seconds with Mason s "Vagabond Virgin" being the longest track at 5:21. The album is said to forever influence jazz rock and many other forms of rock.

This album was followed by John Barleycorn Must Die, their 1970 release.

Track Listing

• 1. You Can All Join In, written by Dave Mason - 3:34

• 2. Pearly Queen, written by Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood - 4:20

• 3. Don't Be Sad, written by Mason

• 4. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring, written by Capaldi, Winwood, Chris Wood - 3:11

• 5. Feelin' Alright, wrriten by Mason - 4:16

• 6. Vagabond Virgin, written by Capaldi, Mason - 5:21

• 7. Forty Thousand Headmen, written by Capaldi, Winwood - 3:15

• 8. Cryin' to Be Heard, written by Mason - 5:14

• 9. No Time to Live, written by Capaldi, Winwood - 5:10

• 10. Means to an End, written by Capaldi, Winwood - 2:39

Other Versions

The album was remastered in 2001 with Capaldi helping out to get it completed. The newly remastered version included 1 new track, and 2 different versions of the basic tracks. The new release was "Withering Tree" which was never released before or again.

"Mono Single Mixes" of Mason's two main classics were featured: "You Can All Join In" and "Feelin' Alright."

Credits

• Jim Capaldi: drums, percussion, vocals
• Dave Mason: guitar, bass, sitar, mellotron, vocals
• Steve Winwood: Keyboards, guitar, bass, vocals
• Chris Wood: flute, saxophone, keyboards, vocals
• Terry Brown: Main engineer

External Links

Traffic's Traffic at allmusic.com