Review of Traffic - Traffic 

Traffic's self-titled second album was universally hailed as a pop masterpiece upon the time of its original release in 1968. This, the final album to consist of Traffic's original line-up of David Mason (vocals, guitar), Stevie Windwood (vocals, keyboards), Jim Capaldi (percussion), and Chris Wood (sax, flute), captures the group at their communal best. Ironically, Dave Mason left the band for a fairly successful solo by the time of the album's release. Traffic's sounds spawned many lesser imitators who tried copying their style of technically proficient jazz-tinged pop, but while lesser imitators fell victim to self-parody or self-indulgence, Traffic always made soulful music of complexity, originality, and quality. 

The tunes on this album, which run the gamut between Beatlesque pop "Feeling Alright," English folk "40,000 Headmen," and New Orleans-style R&B "Pearly Queen" are often challenging, but always accessible. This remastered version, only available in Europe, features a number of choice bonus tracks, which were recorded during the Traffic sessions, but were only previously available on the compilation album "Last Exit." 

Future incarnations of Traffic would prove to be highly successful, but never again could Windwood and Co. make music that could resonate with such a sense of spontaneity and adventure.

Released Date: 1999
Island Records 
U.K. Import

Tracks:
You Can All Join In
Pearly Queen
Don't Be Sad
Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring
Feelin' Alright
Vagabond Virgin
(Roamin' Thro' The Gloamin With) 40,000 Headmen
Cryin' To Be Heard
No Time to Live
Means To An End

Bonus Tracks:
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Am I What I Was Or Am I What I Am
Withering Tree
Medicated Goo
Shanghai Noodle Factory

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