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Traffic Mr. Fantasy Release Date: 1967 12 zz Running Time: 33:54 Label: Island Masters Since Traffic's debut album, Mr. Fantasy, has been issued in different configurations over the years, a history of those differences is in order. In 1967, the British record industry considered albums and singles separate entities; thus, Mr. Fantasy did not contain the group's three previous Top Ten U.K. hits. Just as the album was being released in the U.K., Traffic split from Dave Mason. The album was changed drastically for U.S. release, both because American custom was that singles ought to appear on albums, and because the group sought to diminish Mason's presence; on the first pressing only, the title was changed to Heaven Is in Your Mind. In 2000, Island reissued Mr. Fantasy in its mono mix with the U.K. song list and five mono singles sides as bonus tracks; it also released Heaven Is in Your Mind, the American lineup in stereo with four bonus tracks. Naturally, the mono sound is punchier and more compressed, but it isn't ideal for the album, because Traffic was fashioned as an unusual rock band. Steve Winwood's primary instrument was organ, though he also played guitar; Chris Wood was a reed player, spending most of his time on flute; Mason played guitar, but he was also known to pick up the sitar, among other instruments. As such a mixture suggests, the band's musical approach was eclectic, combining their background in British pop with a taste for the comic and dance hall styles of Sgt. Pepper, Indian music, and blues-rock jamming. Songs in the last category have proven the most distinctive and long-lasting, but Mason's more pop-oriented contributions remain winning, as do more light-hearted efforts. Interest in the mono mix is likely to be restricted to longtime fans; anyone wishing to hear Traffic's first album for the first time is directed to Heaven Is in Your Mind. William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Heaven Is in Your Mind Winwood, Wood, Capaldi 4:16 2 Berkshire Poppies Wood, Winwood, Capaldi 2:55 3 House for Everyone Mason 2:05 4 No Face, No Name, No Number Capaldi, Winwood 3:35 5 Dear Mr. Fantasy Winwood, Capaldi, Wood 5:44 6 Dealer Winwood, Capaldi 3:34 7 Utterly Simple Mason 3:16 8 Coloured Rain Capaldi, Winwood, Wood 2:43 9 Hope I Never Find Me There Mason 2:12 10 Giving to You Wood, Capaldi, Mason, Winwood 4:20 11 Paper Sun [single mix][*] Winwood, Capaldi 4:15 12 Giving to You [single mix][*] Winwood, Mason, Capaldi, Wood 4:12 13 Hole in My Shoe [single mix][*] Mason 2:54 14 Smiling Phases [single mix][*] Capaldi, Wood, Winwood 2:43 15 Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush [single mix][*] Wood, Mason, Winwood, Capaldi 2:18 Releases: Year Type Label 1993 CD Island Masters CD Island 2008 LP Vinyl Lovers 2007 CD Universal Distribution 2006 CD Universal Distribution 2000 CD Island Records

Group Members: Rebop Kwaku Baah Dave Mason Jim Gordon Steve Winwood David Hood More >> Similar Artists: Manfred Mann's Earth Band The Grateful Dead The Moody Blues Jefferson Airplane Spirit More >>

Influenced By: The Beatles Alexis Korner The Animals Paul Butterfield John Mayall More >> Followers: Gary Wright Paul Weller Spooky Tooth Little Barrie The Greenhornes More >>

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