Mr. Fantasy [Remaster]

Performer: Traffic
Engineer: Eddie Kramer
Producer: Jimmy Miller
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: This remastered version of the original mono U.K. release of MR. FANTASY also includes several single-only tracks. The stereo version of the album has been rereleased under its original U.S. title HEAVEN IS IN YOUR MIND. Personnel: Dave Mason (vocals, guitar, sitar, tamboura, shakuhachi, Mellotron, bass guitar, tambourine); Steve Winwood (vocals, guitar, piano, harpsichord, organ, bass guitar, percussion); Chris Wood (vocals, flute, saxophone, organ, percussion); Jim Capaldi (vocals, drums, percussion). Liner Note Author: Brian Hogg. Recording information: Olympic Studios, London, England. Arranger: Steve Winwood. Rehearsed and written at a cottage in the Berkshire countryside, Traffic's debut was former child prodigy Steve Winwood's first foray into headier territory after a stint playing R&B-fueled rock & roll with the Spencer Davis Group. Rounded out by drummer Jim Capaldi and multi-instrumentalists Chris Wood and Dave Mason, MR. FANTASY included experimentation with vaudeville-inspired numbers ("Berkshire Poppies"), flamenco-flavored fantasy ("Dealer"), and sitar-drenched meditations ("Utterly Simple"). Winwood's inspired organ playing and soulful singing emerge on cuts like "Coloured Rain." In keeping with the band's unorthodox approach to composition and arrangement, "Giving To You" offers a funky groove sandwiched between tidbits of an overheard conversation about the relative merits of jazz.

Q (2/00, p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...embodies the mores of hippy-era British rock....heavy on pastoral whimsy..." Mojo (Publisher) (1/00, p.106) - "...a riot of trendy hippy-pop....shows that Traffic were capable of thoughtful, inventive and occasionally very beautiful music."

Traffic appeared amidst the late-1960s psychedelic scene, and at its height the band was one of the most adventurous outfits around, although Traffic's unstable lineup made it an on-again, off-again affair by the '70s. Teenage wunderkind Stevie Winwood was the main man, but all the members made significant contributions. With a sound that combined influences from folk, rock, jazz, and soul, Traffic created something wonderfully of its time on classic albums such as THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH-HEELED BOYS.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.2