This was the follow-up to Traffic debut album Mr Fantasy. The album was previewed with the release of a single Feelin' Alright in September 1968. The track has been covered many times, not least by Joe Cocker and Paul Weller. The albums moves on from Mr Fantasy and is uplifting and humorous in many places.

Dave Mason had rejoined the band in May but quit for a second time in October, around the time of the album's release. Mason had written Feelin' Alright and the opener You Can All Join In. He was clearly a prolific songwriter as his contributions to Traffic demonstrate. Feelin' Alright is a track that has been covered by many artists, not least by Joe Cocker and Paul Weller. You Can All Join In was issued as a single in Europe although Feelin' Alright was a A-side in the UK. Listen carefully for a wonderful bass line by Winwood on Feelin' Alright.

Pearly Queen is a Winwood/Capaldi song that benefits from Steve Winwood's fine vocal performance. Don't Be Sad is a further Dave Mason song that is has a beautiful lead guitar track in the same way as the opener before building up to Winwood's rising and falling organ sound at the end.

Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring shows another side of Steve Winwood's vocal range. The track starts with a much different vocal style to his more usual soul voice before reverting to the familiar style. Vagabond Virgin is a Mason/Capaldi collaboration and the two writers share the vocal duties. (Roamin' Through the Gloamin) with 40,000 Headmen is certainly a strange title. However, this is the most interesting track on the album with its story of a smuggler being chased by the army.

Cryin' To be Heard is a further Dave Mason track. This also features the organ to the fore. The original album ends with two further Steve Winwood/Jim Capaldi songs. No Time To Live has a piano and sax beginning with soulful Winwood vocals.

The additional tracks on the CD include Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, the single that was the theme tune for the film of the same name. Am I Am What I Was or Am I What I Am is also featured in the film. Medicated Goo was also released as a single backed with Shanghai Noodle Factory. The singles You Can All Join In and Feelin' Alright were both backed with Withering Tree which is also included as an extra here.

Overall this is an excellent album that follows on well from Mr Fantasy. By this point of the 1960s, the day of the single had passed and bands were looking at the album for musical development. The fact that Traffic's singles around this time would have been less important than success for the album.

Release Date: 1968

CD Release:

Island IMCD 265

Highest UK chart position: 9

Essential Tracks:

• Feelin' Alright
• (Roamin' Through the Gloamin With) 40,000 Headmen
• Vagabond Virgin

Track Listing:

1. You Can All Join In
2. Pearly Queen
3. Don't Be Sad
4. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring
5. Feelin' Alright?
6. Vagabond Virgin
7. (Roamin' Through the Gloamin With) 40,000 Headmen
8. Cryin' To be Heard
9. No Time To Live
10. Means to an End

Additional tracks on CD