Cream – Fresh Cream (1966)
Release Date: December 9, 1966 (UK) / January 1967 (US)
Label: Reaction Records (UK) / ATCO Records (US)
Type: Studio Album
Genre: Blues Rock / Psychedelic Rock
Length: 39:01
Producer: Robert Stigwood
Overview
Fresh Cream is the debut album by Cream, the pioneering British power trio consisting of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker. Released at a time when rock music was rapidly evolving beyond its blues roots, the album introduced a heavier, louder, and more improvisational approach that would profoundly influence hard rock and psychedelic music.
Unlike many debut albums of the era, Fresh Cream showcased three musicians already operating at an elite level. Clapton’s guitar work fused Chicago blues phrasing with raw distortion, Jack Bruce delivered melodic yet aggressive bass lines alongside expressive vocals, and Ginger Baker brought jazz-influenced drumming that shattered conventional rock rhythms.
The album blends blues standards (“Spoonful,” “Rollin’ and Tumblin’”) with original compositions like “I Feel Free,” “NSU,” and “Dreaming,” highlighting Cream’s dual identity as both blues revivalists and forward-looking innovators. While the UK version leaned more heavily on blues material, the US edition reshuffled tracks and emphasized the band’s more accessible moments.
Though Cream would later push further into extended improvisation and psychedelic experimentation, Fresh Cream stands as a raw, foundational statement—introducing the blueprint for the power trio and setting the stage for everything from Led Zeppelin to heavy metal and jam bands.
Tracklist (UK Edition)
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I Feel Free – 2:51
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N.S.U. – 2:43
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Sleepy Time Time – 4:20
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Dreaming – 1:58
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Sweet Wine – 3:15
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Spoonful – 6:30
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Cat’s Squirrel – 3:03
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Four Until Late – 2:09
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Rollin’ and Tumblin’ – 4:42
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I’m So Glad – 3:58
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Toad – 5:09
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know?
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Did You Know? Fresh Cream helped establish Eric Clapton’s reputation as “God” among British guitar fans.
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Power Trio Blueprint: Cream were among the first supergroups, with all members already famous before forming the band.
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Drum Showcase: “Toad” includes one of rock’s earliest recorded drum solos.
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Blues Roots: Many tracks are reinterpretations of Delta and Chicago blues standards.
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Different Versions: The US and UK editions feature different track listings.
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Live Influence: Several songs were recorded quickly to capture the band’s live energy.
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Jazz Touch: Ginger Baker’s polyrhythms were heavily influenced by African and jazz drumming.
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Cultural Impact: The album paved the way for heavy blues-rock and psychedelic jam formats.
Album Credits
Cream:
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Eric Clapton – Electric guitar, vocals
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Jack Bruce – Bass guitar, lead vocals, harmonica
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Ginger Baker – Drums, percussion
Production Team:
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Producer: Robert Stigwood
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Engineer: Tom Dowd
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Recorded at: Ryemuse Studios (London)
Mini Review
Fresh Cream is a bold and influential debut, introducing a heavier, more improvisational form of blues-rock. While still rooted in traditional blues, the album’s explosive musicianship—particularly Clapton’s fiery guitar and Baker’s dynamic drumming—signals a new era for rock power trios. Raw, energetic, and occasionally unpolished, Fresh Cream remains a cornerstone of late-60s British rock.
