Traffic | Artist

Traffic was an English rock band, formed 1967 in Birmingham, UK, by Steve Winwood (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Jim Capaldi (drums, vocals), Chris Wood (flute, sax) and Dave Mason (guitar, vocals). Bassist Rick Grech joined the band in 1970. Winwood was formerly with Spencer Davis Group, Capaldi and Mason came from Deep Feeling, and Wood from Locomotive. Traffic signed with Island Records and very quickly solidified their unique psych-folk-rock sound and issued a string of classic singles, "Paper Sun", "Hole in my Shoe" and "Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush", which was the theme song for a movie of the same name. Their debut album Mr. Fantasy was a psychedelic rock classic which highlighted the superb songwriting skills and musicianship of all the members. Their second album Traffic was also excellent and contained the Mason penned single "Feelin' Alright". The group then temporarily split, with Winwood joining super-group Blind Faith and Mason pursuing solo work and a stint with Delaney & Bonnie. Winwood, Capaldi, Wood and Grech reunited in 1970 to record the superb John Barleycorn Must Die album which, although issued under the band name, was predominantly a Steve Winwood solo album, with the musical prodigy writing all material and arrangements, playing most of the instruments, and producing the album. The following year saw the release of The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, which signalled the end of the band's creative peak. The band finally split in '94 after recording nine studio albums, after which Winwood carried on with a successful solo career, as did Capaldi and Mason. Outstanding Traffic albums include Mr Fantasy, Traffic, John Barleycorn Must Die, Welcome to the Canteen (live), and The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.

Artist Website: stevewinwood.com

Featured Albums: Traffic

Related Artists: Steve Winwood, Blind Faith, Dave Mason, Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi, Spencer Davis Group, Deep Feeling