The 1960’s were a wild time in music history. Take Traffic for example– in three short years from 1967 to 1970 founding member Dave Mason recorded the band’s first album Mr. Fantasy, subsequently left the group, decided to re-join in the middle of the recording this album, and then abruptly left the band for good after it was released. Concurrently, the legendary Steve Winwood took part in both of Traffic’s first two albums, disbanded Traffic to join Blind Faith (our review of that album by Blind Faith’s can be found here), and then ended up re-forming Traffic after Blind Faith broke up.
If it all sounds messier than a high school dating scene, it absolutely was. But damn did they make the best of the time they were together. Everyone knows “Feelin’ Alright?” but that’s not all this album has to offer. Combing psychedelic rock and folk elements, the self-titled Traffic is filled with top musicianship and experimental fervor. There’s something about the eclectic arrangements, vocal harmonies, and walking bass lines littered across this record that can’t be denied.
Standout Songs: “Feelin’ Alright?”, “Medicated Goo”, “You Can All Join”
