Cream - Strange Brew: The Very Best of Cream (1983/1987)

Like ERIC "SLOW HAND" CLAPTON's previous roots-of-rock project THE YARDBIRDS, British power trio CREAM hipped millions of listeners to the blooze via the most contorted interpretations of SKIP JAMES, ROBERT JOHNSON and ALBERT KING ever channeled through a psychedelic wah-wah pedal. This "jam band" predecessor boasted the unbeatable mind-meld of JACK BRUCE's soulful triple threat bass/harp/vocals (he also wrote the majority of CREAM classics with lyricist PETE BROWN), GINGER BAKER's jazz-stoked drum work, and CLAPTON's aggressive "Guitar God" pyrotechnics. The original material, including the heat-sinking hits WHITE ROOM and SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE were on a par with their mentors' down 'n dirty compositions I'M SO GLAD, CROSSROADS and SPOONFUL, which often became sprawling, improvisational workouts in their capable mitts. Not surprisingly, it was far too much talent to contain under one roof and they imploded after four albums in three short years. What's left behind is this intense, stunning account of an ensemble that actually lived up to all the "supergroup" hype...and how often does THAT happen?