Cream / The Singles 1967-1970 / seven-inch vinyl box set

Get set for generous spoonfuls of classic bluesy, hard-rocking, psychedelia with the release of a seven-inch singles box set by the original rock power trio, Cream.

Universal Music have raided the archives of the Reaction, Atco and Polydor labels to select these long-deleted records for this ten-disc set. It includes everything from Tales of Brave Ulysses which showcased Eric Clapton’s use of the wah-wah guitar pedal for the first time, their reworking of Crossroads (originally recorded by Blues legend Robert Johnson in 1936), all the way through to Badge which Clapton co-wrote with his mate George Harrison and proved to be the band’s last charting single.

The original mono versions are apparently reproduced on standard-weight, classic ‘dinked’ vinyl (although the image depicts otherwise!) and exclusive new artwork has been commissioned for the sleeves of each record, which are presented together in a rigid, matt-laminated ‘lid-and-tray’ box.

This set is billed as a ‘fitting tribute’ to the skills of Clapton, drummer Ginger Baker and, especially, bassist/singer Jack Bruce, who passed away in October 2014, and follows on from last year’s release of the Cream: 1966-72 vinyl box set, which brought together all of their studio and live LPs in one set.

The Singles 1967-70 is released on 26 November 2015.

Buying guide: Availability in Europe is rather patchy at present but the Canadian Pre-order price of $62 equates to little over £30, which is stunning for a 10 x 7-inch single box set (import duties for the UK would be maximum £17, if your item is stopped by customs).

• • UK Pre-order: Cream The Singles 1967-1970
• • USA Pre-order: Cream The Singles 1967-1970
• • CANADA Pre-order: Cream The Singles 1967-1970 *great price
• • GERMANY Pre-order: The Singles 1967-1970
• • ITALY Pre-order: The Singles 1967-1970

Single 1 (Reaction):

• Wrapping Paper (2 minutes 24 seconds)
• Cat’s Squirrel (2.59)

Single 2 (Reaction):

• I Feel Free (2.48)
• NSU (2.43)

Single 3 (Atco):

• Spoonful – Part I (2.25)
• Spoonful – Part II (2.28)

Single 4 (Reaction):

• Strange Brew (2.45)
• Tales Of Brave Ulysses (2.50)

Single 5 (Polydor):

• Anyone For Tennis (2.37)
• Pressed Rat And Warthog (3.12)

Single 6 (Polydor):

• Sunshine Of Your Love (4.11)
• SWLABR (2.30)

Single 7 (Polydor):

• White Room (4.58)
• Those Were The Days (2.52)

Single 8 (Atco):

• Crossroads (4.16)
• Passing The Time (4.31)

Single 9 (Polydor):

• Badge (2.43)
• What A Bringdown (3.56)

Single 10 (Atco):

• Lawdy Mama (2.47)
• Sweet Wine (3.16)