10 x 7” singles from the original rock power trio. Cream blazed an indelible trail through the latter half of the ‘60s with their challenging and exquisite mélange of blues, pop and psychedelia. These tracks offered a window to the wilder, widescreen adventures of their long players and here they are in glorious mono with specially designed picture sleeves; a fitting tribute to the skills of the three players, and especially to Jack Bruce, who left us in October 2014.
• Original mono versions, deleted since 60s. 10 x 7” singles, picked from Reaction, Atco and Polydor labels.
• Each 7” single comes complete with a brand new exclusively designed picture sleeve.
• Housed in a rigid ‘lid-and-tray’ box, full colour and matt lamination.
• Standard weight, classic dinked vinyl.
• Cream collectors dream!
Did you know that ‘Wrapping Paper’ was Cream’s very first single? If you didn’t, and you’ve never heard it we think you may be more than a little shocked. The band that became the model for just about every heavy rock band that followed in the immediate wake, sound anything but a rock band. Even allowing for the kind of off the wall reviews that appeared in 1960s pop papers this one is surprisingly accurate. This is the very first review of any Cream release, anywhere in the world.
Released by Reaction Records in the UK early October 1966 this piece of whimsical jazz influenced pop was written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown (Pete co-wrote ‘I Feel Free’, ‘White Room’ and ‘SWLABR’ with Jack and ‘Sunshine of Your Love’. With Eric Clapton). ‘Wrapping Paper’ does feature a guitar solo, but it’s far from a trademark blistering blues outing. According to Ginger Baker, “‘Wrapping Paper’ is the most appalling piece of shit I’ve ever heard in my life! I was totally against it, right from the start... Eric and I didn’t like it”
‘Wrapping Paper’ made the UK singles chart on 22 October 1966 and eventually staggered to No.34, but no higher. The b-side is ‘Cat’s Squirrel’, a song made popular by bluesman Doctor Ross, that was also the opening track on side 2 of Fresh Cream the band’s debut album that was released in early December 1966. Unsurprisingly given Ginger’s views it did not include ‘Wrapping Paper’: Fresh Cream did come out in Sweden with ‘Wrapping Paper’ included.
The very first advert for any Cream release…
Single 1: Reaction 591007
Wrapping Paper 2.24
Cat’s Squirrel 2.59
Single 2: Reaction 591011
I Feel Free 2.48
NSU 2.43
Single 3: Atco 6522
Spoonful – Part I 2.25
Spoonful – Part II 2.28
Single 4: Reaction 591015
Strange Brew 2.45
Tales Of Brave Ulysses 2.50
Single 5: Polydor 56258
Anyone For Tennis 2.37
Pressed Rat And Warthog 3.12
Single 6: Polydor 56286
Sunshine Of Your Love 4.11
SWLABR 2.30
Single 7: Polydor 56300
White Room 4.58
Those Were The Days 2.52
Single 8: Atco 6646
Crossroads 4.16
Passing The Time 4.31
Single 9: Polydor 56315
Badge 2.43
What A Bringdown 3.56
Single 10: Atco 6708
Lawdy Mama 2.47
Sweet Wine 3.16
The Fat Angel Sings 