Today we have Cream's first studio album Fresh Cream. Released in 1966, their debut sold well upon release and was Clapton's first album to chart in the US. Generally considered the first rock supergroup, the band was composed of Eric Clapton as lead guitarist, Jack Bruce as bassist and singer, and Ginger Baker as drummer.
Bruce is a significantly better vocalist than Mayall and Clapton now sounds comfortable at the mike, contributing vocals on the excellent cover "Four Until Late." However, nothing about Bruce's vocal performance make me interested in or curious about him as person and, admittedly, for the reputation the band (and this album) has, they seldom blow me away--especially on side 1. Other than "Spoonful" and "I'm So Glad," they don't yet have the command of the three-piece band that the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Who do. That said, most of this strong, they bring the chaos "Rollin' and Tumblin'" deserves, and Baker's drum solo on "Toad" is among the most impressive I've heard. B+
