Cream - Disraeli Gears

1967 UK 1st Pressing on Reaction with Laminated Cover

Year Released: 1967

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock, Hard Rock

Description:

Disraeli Gears is the second studio album by the English rock supergroup Cream, released on November 2, 1967. The album is a pivotal and genre-defining masterpiece that marked a significant shift in the band's sound, moving from the more traditional blues of their debut, Fresh Cream, to a more experimental and psychedelic-infused rock. The album was recorded in New York City with producer Felix Pappalardi and engineer Tom Dowd, a creative team that played a crucial role in shaping its unique sound.

The album's sound is a vibrant and imaginative blend of blues-based rock with psychedelic flourishes. It is a showcase for the incredible musicianship of the trio: Jack Bruce's powerful and melodic basslines, Ginger Baker's dynamic and complex drumming, and Eric Clapton's masterful guitar work, which here began to incorporate a more distorted, wah-wah-driven tone. The album is also a more collaborative effort than their debut, with both Bruce and Clapton sharing lead vocal duties.

Disraeli Gears is a hit-filled record that features two of the band's most iconic songs. "Sunshine of Your Love," with its instantly recognizable main riff, became a worldwide hit and a cornerstone of classic rock. The album's opener, "Strange Brew," is a perfect example of their new sound, blending a bluesy riff with a psychedelic lyrical and vocal approach. The album also features other standout tracks, including the hard-rocking "SWLABR" (short for "She Was a Long-Legged, Bearded Rainbow") and the psychedelic masterpiece "Tales of Brave Ulysses."

The album's title has a quirky origin story. It was a spoonerism coined by a roadie who misheard the phrase "derailleur gears" in a conversation about a bicycle. The album's psychedelic and brightly colored cover art, designed by artist Martin Sharp, is a perfect visual representation of the music's mind-bending and kaleidoscopic feel. Disraeli Gears was a major commercial and critical success, and its influence on the development of hard rock and psychedelic rock is immense. It is a timeless classic that solidified Cream's status as a dominant force in the late 1960s.