After Steve Winwood left the successful Spencer Davis Group and left the bright lights in favor of and jam sessions with Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason and Chris Wood, Traffic formed in Birmingham in April 1967 traffic formed in Birmingham in April 1967. Traffic began as a psychedelic rock band, diversifying their sound and diversified their sound by adding instruments such as keyboards and incorporating jazz and improvisational techniques jazz and improvisational techniques. Soon after, in December 1967, Traffic released "Mr. Fantasy," their debut album, via Island Records. The album was called by Rolling Stone "one of the best from any contemporary group" and it has become a staple of almost every poll for the best album of the Album of the 20th and 21st centuries!