1968 TRAFFIC "REAPING" Sitar Psych POPSIKE Garage ACID DRENCHED PSYCHEDELIC

$

140

  1968 ORIGINAL "STONE" ...UK PSYCHEDELIC CLASSIC

                    STILL FACTORY SEALED

                                                                     TRAFFIC

                         "REAPING"

\                                                                    Canada - STONE RECORDS - WI/S 4700

LESS SEEN in any condition, yet here a RARE never played - never opened:
STILL FACTORY SEALED 1968 FIRST PRINT as produced in Canada for the ever poplar teen "rock" music scene ...

The highly unique aspects of the STONE release include having not only a different title "REAPING" - but a sporting different front & back designs and track listings are altered from the USA and UK versions.

It's the first and decidedly BEST TRAFFIC Lp, one that has all the ingredients adding up to one of the finest "psychedelic" Lp's ever released in England. All those small/obscure bands that followed the basic sound-style of this record may have well recorded Lp's that are valued at giant monetary sums, but in reality pale when put up against the first TRAFFIC Lp song for song.

Original 1968 first pressing... One of the greatest of British psychedelia albums, as many forget the creative juices flowing within...the FIRST Traffic album:

Psychedelic keyboards, hard guitar solo ala CREAM, British folk and music-hall, jazz paranoia and Indian raga with overall Winwood's soulful voice make an album that can be enjoyed over and over. Dave Mason, as well, gives important musical component with his guitar, bass and sitar, offering one of the best raga moments in rock music in "Utterly Simple", which rivals the Fab Four's "Within You, Without You" . Each song has its place on this mature record, but the title track - allegedly drug-influenced imagination - "Dear Mr. Fantasy" comes off as a heady classic that rivals any of the top psychedelic grooves of the time (including trippy stuff The Beatles were doing) -- all the standardized tropes- production effects such as phasing, stereo gimmicks, lysergic lyrics and a large helping of Eastern mysticism- are all in place, but yet the overall musicianship here is stronger and the musical net is cast wider.

'Berkshire Poppies' is an archetypal piece of pop psych whimsy, with the presence of mod/psych legends The Small Faces on backing vocals. This track with oh-so-English lyrics and a musichall feel to the chorus has period charm.

'House For Everyone' is again a nice piece of pop psych, with its quirky melody to introduce it and a charmingly English lead vocal from Dave Mason marking it out. Sharp ears will detect some fairly early use of the mellotron towards the end- itself a standard trope of psych songs at the time.

'No Face No Name No Number' is perhaps the first track which moves away from the realms of psych and into something different. It's maybe an all time fave Traffic track, and is simply beautiful. Steve Winwood's vocal is very passionate, the acoustic guitar chords are gorgeous, whilst the harpsichord adds a layer of intrigue. Again, the mellotron is used, and to stunning effect. Now this isn't so very far away from the more mellow moments of 'In The Court Of The Crimson King'...

'Dear Mr Fantasy' is another all time Traffic classic, with an R & B feel but nevertheless a bit more ambitious. The phasing makes it a period piece, but the track is first class, with its propulsive guitar riff and a soulful vocal from Winwood. The climax is pretty heavy for the time, with some furious harmonica work and driving bass, not to mention the relentless percussion of Jim Capaldi.

'Dealer' reminds a bit of Cream tracks like 'I Feel Free' or 'Badge', with its duel vocal and psych backdrop with some nice flutes and maracas in the background.

'Utterly Simple' again straddles the middleground between prog and psych with its unusual time signature and exotic instrumentation. The sitar is dominant here, winding its way through this wonderfully mystic track. Dave Mason gets to handle the lead vocals, and this would prove to be another classic.

'Coloured Rain' is a more typical psych track as the title implies, yet gets a passionate airing from Winwood. He gets to let loose with some terrific Hammond organ bursts- at the time, Winwood was seemingly revered as one of the UK's finest keyboard players, something often overlooked today.

'Hole In My Shoe' is again psych, with some typical stereo gimmicks and phasing. A fine mellotron clad track.

'Giving To You' doesn't really begin promisingly, with a backdrop of 'hippie' speak but gives way to a jazz/blues instrumental which gives Winwood and Chris Wood especially the chance to branch out on Hammond and flute respectively. Capaldi's percussion is swinging and drives the track nicely.

Overall, this is a very solid album from beginning to end -- a timeless psychedelic classic...

Paper Sun

Dealer

Coloured Rain

Hole IN My Shoe

No Face, No Name, No Number

B:

House For Everyone

Berkshire Poppies

Giving To You

Smiling Phases

Dear Mr Fantasy

CONDITION:  After 49 years remains remarkably: STILL FACTORY SEALED - never opened / never played ... a really NICE unique collection addition to a very important psychedelic album. The ONLY slight (very minor) issue is slight crinkle at top left corner, be aware it's very subtle (light) - otherwise retains great original colors, no fade, no split seams, no writing, no imperfections not mentioned. Obvious high collector appeal in this condition - never saw or had a SEALED copy of this original '68 version before - ever!

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record