Cream’s “Disraeli Gears” and “Fresh Cream” are in line for superstar treatment in the SACD audiophile format.
The British trio’s first two albums are being released in Japan on SHM-SACD, which is billed as the ultimate expression of the Super Audio CD format.
Limited editions, in stereo and mono, with bonus tracks. The mono mix of “Fresh Cream” appears to be the first on CD.
“Wheels of Fire,” the third album, returns on “platinum” SHM-CD and (regular) SHM-CD. A Japanese SHM-SACD version of the live/studio album was released in 2010 and appears to be out of print.
There also are new SHM-CD versions of “Disraeli Gears” and “Fresh Cream” — regular and in the platinum (it’s used to replace the usual aluminum reflective coating).
All of these discs will be available for import. The price tags reflect the audiophile treatment, ranging from about $25 to $60 before shipping.
The U.S. audiophile site Acoustic Sounds lists the SHM-SACD availability as TBA, but Universal Japan shows Nov. 27 for “Disraeli Gears” and Dec. 18 for “Fresh Cream.”
SACDs do not play in regular CD players (unless the discs are “hybrids”). These SHM-SACDs will play in all SACD players, but not CD players. Some Blu-ray players, such as many from Sony, will play discs in the SACD format. SHM-CDs play in all CD players that can handle CD-R discs.
Cream’s well-produced albums have been rereleased on various audiophile formats in the CD era, including 24k gold discs.
Here are specifics of the new Cream releases:
“Disraeli Gears” SHM-SACD, SHM-CD:
“Disraeli Gears” was Cream’s breakthrough album, with a compelling blend of British white boy blues and psychedelic rock. Its classics include “Tales of Brave Ulysses,” “Strange Brew” and “Sunshine of Your Love.”
- Cardboard sleeve artwork mimicking the original British LP.
- Reproduction of Japanese first-issue obi (paper band).
- “HR cutting from the DSD master which was flat transferred from US original analogue master tapes in 2013.”
- Six bonus tracks, including a “previously unreleased” “Blue Condition” sung by Eric Clapton.
- Platinum SHM-CD or SHM-CD. Stereo and mono.
“Fresh Cream” SHM-SACD, SHM-CD:
1966’s “Fresh Cream” was the highly anticipated debut of the original rock “super group.” Half of the songs were blues covers (“Spoonful,” “I’m So Glad”). Originals included “Sleepy Time Time” and “Toad.” (The U.S. version led off with the single “I Feel Free,” not found on the original U.K. disc.)
Originally released in stereo and mono; this release appears to be the CD debut of the album in mono.
- Cardboard sleeves mimick the original British LP and French EP.
- Reproduction of Japanese first-issue obi (paper band).
- “HR cutting from DSD master in 2013 based on the original analog tape made in U.K.”
- Five bonus tracks including the single “I Feel Free” and “Packaging Paper”
- Platinum SHM-CD or SHM-CD. Stereo and mono.
“Wheels of Fire” SHM-CD:
1968’s “Wheels of Fire” featured an “In the Studio” disc and a “Live at the Fillmore” disc. The hit was “White Room” — one of the classic psychedelic singles. Other notable tracks: “Sitting on Top of the World” and Jack Bruce’s masterful “Deserted Cities of the Heart.”
Side 2 captured Cream in power trio mode with four numbers. They included the blues standards “Crossroads” and “Spoonful,” as well as Ginger Baker’s signature drum solo “Toad.”
- Gatefold cardboard sleeve mimicking the original British LP.
- Reproduction of Japanese first-issue obi (paper band).
- Second cover reproducing the Japanese golden artwork (instead of silver).
- “HR cutting from DSD master in 2013 based on the original analog tape made in UK.”
- Four bonus tracks including “Anyone for Tennis.”
- Platinum SHM-CD or SHM-CD. Stereo and mono.
Product specifics from Universal Japan (translated) and several Japanese CD retailers.
A Blu-ray of Cream’s farewell concert is listed as coming in early February.
Here are the track listings:
“Fresh Cream”
Disc 1 (stereo)
01. N.S.U.
02. Sleepy Time Time
03. Dreaming
04. Sweet Wine
05. Spoonful
06. Cat’s Squirrel
07. Four Until Late
08. Rollin’ and Tumblin’
09. I’m So Glad
10. Toad
11. Wrapping paper (bonus track)
12. I Feel Free (bonus track)
13. Coffee Song (bonus track)
Disc 2 (mono)
01. N.S.U.
02. Sleepy Time Time
03. Dreaming
04. Sweet Wine
05. Spoonful
06. Cat’s Squirrel
07. Four Until Late
08. Rollin’ and Tumblin’
09. I’m So Glad
10. Toad
11. Wrapping Paper (bonus track)
12. I Feel Free (bonus track)
“Disraeli Gears”
Disc 1 (stereo)
01. Strange Brew
02. Sunshine of Your Love
03. World of Pain
04. Dance the Night Away
05. Blue Condition
06. Tales of Brave Ulysses
07. SWLABR
08. We’re Going Wrong
09. Outside Woman Blues
10. Take It Back
11. Mother’s Lament
12. Lawdy Mama — version 1 (bonus track)
13. Lawdy Mama — version 2 (bonus track)
14. Blue Condition — previously unreleased alternate version w/Eric Clapton lead vocal (bonus track)
Disc 2 (mono)
01. Strange Brew
02. Sunshine of Your Love
03. World of Pain
04. Dance the Night Away
05. Blue Condition
06. Tales of Brave Ulysses
07. SWLABR
08. We’re Going Wrong
09. Outside Woman Blues
10. Take It Back
11. Mother’s Lament
12. Lawdy Mama — album out-take (bonus track)
13. Blue Condition — previously unreleased alternate version w/Eric Clapton lead vocal (bonus track)
“Wheels of Fire”
Disc 1 (stereo)
01. White Room
02. Sitting on Top of the World
03. Passing the Time
04. As you Said
05. Pressed Rat and Warthog
06. Politician
07. Those Were The Days
08. Born Under a Bad Sign
09. Deserted Cities of the Heart
10. Anyone for Tennis (bonus track)
11. Falstaff Beer Commercial (bonus track)
Disc 2 (mono)
01. Crossroads
02. Spoonful
03. Train time
04. Toad
05. N.S.U. (bonus track)
06. Sunshine of Your Love (bonus track)