Traffic, the iconic English rock band from Birmingham, was formed in 1967. The band comprised Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason. Together, they created a distinctive sound that undoubtedly had a lasting impact on both rock and jazz music.

Traffic started as a collaboration between Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi, who had been friends since childhood. The two had played together in other bands, including The Spencer Davis Group, which had a hit in 1966 with “Gimme Some Lovin'”. After leaving the Spencer Davis Group, Winwood and Capaldi decided to form their own band, which they named Traffic.

Traffic’s earliest lineup featured Mason and Wood, who had been playing with the jazz-rock band, The Modern Jazz Quartet. The quartet quickly began to develop a unique sound, which blended rock, blues, and jazz elements. Winwood’s soulful vocals, Mason’s guitar work, and Wood’s soaring saxophone lines all contributed to Traffic’s immediately recognizable sound.

Traffic’s first album, “Mr. Fantasy”, was released in 1967, and its opening track, “Heaven Is in Your Mind”, set the tone for the band’s musical explorations. The album also included the hit single “Paper Sun” and the epic track “Dear Mr. Fantasy”, which would become one of the band’s signature tunes.

In many ways, Traffic was a band of contradictions. They were a rock band that incorporated elements of jazz and folk music; they were a group of individualistic musicians who nevertheless had a strong collective identity; and they were a band with a strong connection to the counterculture of the late 1960s, but one that also appealed to more mainstream audiences.

Traffic’s second album, “Traffic”, released in 1968, was a more experimental album that showed the band’s willingness to take risks and try new things. The album included the seven-minute instrumental “The Dealer” and the dreamlike “Forty Thousand Headmen”, which featured Winwood’s sitar playing. The album also featured the hit single “Feelin’ Alright”, which would later become a hit for Joe Cocker.

Traffic’s third album, “Last Exit”, was released in 1969 and marked a significant change in the band’s sound. Mason had left the band, and Traffic adopted a more stripped-down, blues-based approach. The album featured the classic track “Shanghai Noodle Factory” and live recordings of “Just for You” and “Gimme Some Lovin'”.

Traffic’s next album, “John Barleycorn Must Die”, released in 1970, was a critical and commercial success. The album featured some of the band’s most memorable tracks, including “Glad” and the title track. It also marked a return to the jamming style of their earlier albums.

In 1971, Traffic released “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys”, which is widely regarded as their masterpiece. The album featured extended improvisational tracks like “Light Up or Leave Me Alone” and the title track and showcased the band’s versatility and musical virtuosity.

Traffic disbanded in 1975 after a successful U.S. tour. Winwood went on to have a successful solo career, while Capaldi became a respected songwriter and performer in his own right. Wood passed away in 1983, but his contributions to the band’s sound remain a lasting legacy.

Traffic’s influence on rock and jazz music cannot be overstated. The band’s ability to blend different musical styles and create a unique sound was groundbreaking and inspired countless musicians. The band’s legacy endures, and their music continues to be discovered and enjoyed by new generations of fans.

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