Cream pretty much created the term “Supergroup” when Eric Clapton (Yardbirds, John Mayall), Ginger Baker (Graham Bond Organisation) and Jack Bruce (Blues Incorporated, Manfred Mann) came together in 1966.
Later that year, they released their debut, Fresh Cream, which has gone on to become a classic and sits just outside the top 100 on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Albums list. Produced by Robert Stigwood, it was the first release on his new Reaction Records. While the U.K. release didn’t include the band’s debut single, I Feel Free, it was added for the U.S. release in January 1967.
On January 7, a deluxe version of Fresh Cream with three-CDs and one Blu-Ray will be released by Polydor/UMC with an amazing amount of bonus material from across the world.
Disc 1 includes the original Mono version of the album, which wasn’t available on CD until 2013 and remains a rarity. Also included are session recordings, single versions and alternate mixes from a French EPs.
Disc 2 is the more readily available stereo version along alternate mixes from the Swedish pressing of the album and a brand new stereo mix.
Disc 3 includes early versions of the tracks, session outtakes, alternate versions and a number of live recordings from radio appearances.
The final disc is a Blu-Ray with the mono and stereo mixes of the original U.S. album and bonus tracks, all in 24/96 KHz high-resolution stereo.
The CD track lists:
Disc 1 (Mono)
S.U.
Sleepy Time Time
Dreaming
Sweet Wine
Spoonful
Cat’s Squirrel
Four Until Late
Rollin’ and Tumblin’
I’m So Glad
Toad
The Coffee Song (Session Recording)
Wrapping Paper
Cat’s Squirrel (Mono Single Version)
I Feel Free
S.U. (Mono Single Version)
Spoonful (Part I)
Spoonful (Part II)
Wrapping Paper (Alternate Mix)
Sweet Wine (Alternate Mix)
I’m So Glad
Cat’s Squirrel (Alternate Master)
I Feel Free (Alternate Mix)
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (Alternate Master)
S.U.
Four Until Late
Disc 2 (Stereo)
S.U.
Sleepy Time Time
Dreaming
Sweet Wine
Spoonful
Cat’s Squirrel
Four Until Late
Rollin’ and Tumblin’
I’m So Glad
Toad
I Feel Free (Session Recording)
Wrapping Paper (Session Recording)
The Coffee Song (Session Recording)
I’m So Glad (New Stereo Mix)
S.U. (New Stereo Mix)
Wrapping Paper (New Stereo Mix)
The Coffee Song (New Stereo Mix)
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (First Version – New Stereo Mix)
Spoonful (First Version – New Stereo Mix)
Toad (New Stereo Mix)
Disc 3
The Coffee Song (Early Version)
You Make Me Feel (Session Outtake)
Beauty Queen (Session Outtake)
Wrapping Paper (Early Version)
Cat’s Squirrel (Early Version)
I Feel Free (Early Version)
I Feel Free (Mono Mix with No Lead Vocal)
I Feel Free (Alternate Mono Mix)
Sweet Wine (Early Version)
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (Early Version)
Toad (Early Version)
DISC 4
Sweet Wine (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 11/8/1966)
Eric Clapton Interview (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 11/8/1966)
Wrapping Paper (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 11/8/1966)
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 11/8/1966)
Sleepy Time Time (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 11/8/1966)
Steppin’ Out (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 11/8/1966)
Crossroads (Guitar Club Session, BBC Studio 2, Aeolian Hall, London – 11/28/1966)
Steppin’ Out (Guitar Club Session, BBC Studio 2, Aeolian Hall, London – 11/28/1966)
Cat’s Squirrel (R&B Club Session, BBC Maida Vale Studio 4, London – 12/9/1966)
Traintime (R&B Club Session, BBC Maida Vale Studio 4, London – 12/9/1966)
I’m So Glad (R&B Club Session, BBC Maida Vale Studio 4, London – 12/9/1966)
Lawdy Mama (R&B Club Session, BBC Maida Vale Studio 4, London – 12/9/1966)
Eric Clapton Interview (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 1/10/1967)
I Feel Free (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 1/10/1967)
S.U. (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 1/10/1967)
Four Until Late (Saturday Club Session, Playhouse Theatre, London – 1/10/1967)
