Cream – Disraeli Gears (1967)
Release Date: November 2, 1967
Label: Reaction Records (UK) / Atco Records (US)
Type: Studio Album
Genre: Psychedelic Rock / Blues Rock / Hard Rock
Length: 37:02
Producer: Felix Pappalardi
Overview
Disraeli Gears is Cream’s second studio album and widely regarded as a defining record of the psychedelic era. Departing from the raw blues approach of Fresh Cream, the band embraced studio experimentation, vibrant arrangements, and pop-psychedelic textures, while still retaining their blues-rock roots.
Produced by Felix Pappalardi, who would later co-found Mountain, the album showcases a remarkable balance between improvisation and structured songwriting. Songs like “Sunshine of Your Love”, “Strange Brew”, and “Tales of Brave Ulysses” combine hook-laden riffs, inventive guitar tones, and surreal lyrics, signaling a new era for rock music.
The album also demonstrates Jack Bruce’s powerful vocal range, Eric Clapton’s signature “woman tone” guitar sound, and Ginger Baker’s complex jazz-influenced drumming, cementing Cream as one of the first true supergroups. Disraeli Gears was a commercial and critical success, peaking at #5 on the UK Albums Chart and #4 on the US Billboard 200, and it remains one of the most influential albums of the late 1960s.
Tracklist
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Strange Brew – 2:45
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Sunshine of Your Love – 4:09
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World of Pain – 3:04
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Dance the Night Away – 2:11
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Blue Condition – 2:14
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Tales of Brave Ulysses – 2:50
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We’re Going Wrong – 4:15
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Outside Woman Blues – 2:40
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Take It Back – 2:30
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Mother’s Lament – 3:09
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SWLABR – 2:38
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Tales of Brave Ulysses (Reprise) – 4:37
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know?
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Did You Know? The famous riff from “Sunshine of Your Love” was created by Jack Bruce on bass and Clapton on guitar, becoming one of the most iconic riffs in rock history.
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Psychedelic Influence: The album reflects Cream’s exposure to the London psychedelic scene, including psychedelic light shows and pop art aesthetics.
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“Woman Tone”: Clapton achieved his distinctive smooth, sustaining guitar tone on this album by rolling back his guitar volume knob.
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Cover Art: The album’s colorful cover, designed by Martin Sharp, became an iconic psychedelic image of the 1960s.
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Jazz Meets Rock: Ginger Baker’s drumming incorporates African and jazz influences, enhancing Cream’s progressive sound.
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Studio Magic: Producer Felix Pappalardi encouraged multi-layered arrangements and vocal harmonies to enrich the trio’s sound.
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Cultural Impact: Songs from the album influenced hard rock, heavy metal, and jam band movements for decades.
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Legacy: Often considered one of the greatest albums of the 1960s, blending blues, rock, and psychedelia seamlessly.
Album Credits
Cream:
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Eric Clapton – Guitar, vocals
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Jack Bruce – Bass, vocals, piano, harmonica
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Ginger Baker – Drums, percussion, vocals
Production Team:
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Producer: Felix Pappalardi
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Engineer: Tom Dowd
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Cover Art: Martin Sharp
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Recorded at: Atlantic Studios, New York
Mini Review
Disraeli Gears is Cream at their most psychedelic and inventive, fusing blues-rock with experimental textures and unforgettable hooks. Iconic tracks like “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew” demonstrate Clapton’s guitar mastery, Bruce’s versatile vocals, and Baker’s inventive rhythms, creating a sound that defined late-60s rock. With vibrant production, psychedelic artistry, and timeless songwriting, Disraeli Gears remains a cornerstone of rock history and a benchmark for power trios.
