Recommendations of the Editorial team
Cream released their third album, Wheels of Fire, on June 14, 1968. The album is one of the band’s best known. The rock trio – consisting of Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker – broke up 26 days after its release, and the members then pursued solo careers. The record was a huge success: it reached number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the United States and became the world’s first double album to achieve platinum status.
Now, almost 60 years later, a new edition of the album is being released – with numerous unreleased tracks, outtakes, alternative mixes, live recordings and newly restored versions.
Phase correction: sound without compromise
In addition, the recordings were corrected and the Haeco CSG effect, which was used in the original version in the 1960s, was reversed. This had “blurred” the stereo image of the old songs to make them compatible with mono record players.
The new deluxe versions will be released on June 12, 2026. The CDs and vinyls contain the tracks from the original album in the CSG-edited recording, which is now phase-corrected for greater detail and a clearer soundstage. Reference tapes from producer Felix Pappalardi are also included, providing significant insight into the creation of the studio tracks. The trove of recordings has been preserved since the 1960s and has now been released for publication.
Live rarities from the Fillmore and Winterland
Additionally, the edition includes eight tracks performed at the Fillmore Auditorium and Winterland Ballroom concerts in March 1968. These recordings have only appeared on “Live Cream” and “Live Cream Volume 2” (1972). The track “We’re Going Wrong” has never been released before.
5-CD super deluxe edition with hardcover booklet
The new edition of “Wheels of Fire” is released as a 5-CD super deluxe version. The CDs come in hardcover with notes by Jim Faber and photographs of the band from the 1960s.
Tracklist
CD 1 – Wheels of Fire: In the Studio (2026 Remaster) / 1968 Originally Released CSG Encoded Version
- 1. White Room (4:59)
- 2. Sitting on Top of the World (4:59)
- 3. Passing the Time (4:33)
- 4. As You Said (4:22)
- 5. Pressed Rat and Warthog (3:15)
- 6. Politician (4:14)
- 7. Those Were the Days (2:55)
- 8. Born Under a Bad Sign (3:11)
- 9. Deserted Cities of the Heart (3:42)
Wheels of Fire: In the Studio (Phase Correction 2026 Remaster)
- 10. White Room (4:59) +
- 11. Sitting on Top of the World (4:59) +
- 12. Passing the Time (4:32) +
- 13. As You Said (4:22) +
- 14. Pressed Rat and Warthog (3:15) +
- 15. Politician (4:14) +
- 16. Those Were the Days (2:55) +
- 17. Born Under a Bad Sign (3:11) +
- 18. Deserted Cities of the Heart (3:40) +
CD 2 – Wheels of Fire: In the Studio (Stereo Reference Reels) / Previously unreleased stereo recordings
- 1. White Room (4:59) +
- 2. Sitting on Top of the World (4:55) +
- 3. Passing the Time – Long Version (5:50) +
- 4. As You Said (4:16) +
- 5. Pressed Rat and Warthog – With Spoken Intro (3:16) +
- 6. Politician (4:10) +
- 7. Those Were the Days (2:54) +
- 8. Born Under a Bad Sign (3:08) +
- 9. Deserted Cities of the Heart (3:36) +
Wheels of Fire: In the Studio (Mono Reference Reels) / Previously unreleased mono tapes
- 10. White Room (4:59) +
- 11. Sitting on Top of the World (4:57) +
- 12. Passing the Time – Long Version (5:50) +
- 13. As You Said (4:18) +
- 14. Pressed Rat and Warthog – With Spoken Intro (3:15) +
- 15. Politician (4:11) +
- 16. Those Were the Days (2:54) +
- 17. Born Under a Bad Sign (3:10) +
- 18. Deserted Cities of the Heart (3:39) +
CD 3 – Wheels of Fire: Live at the Fillmore Auditorium & Winterland Ballroom (2026 Remaster)
- 1. Crossroads (4:16)
- 2. Spoonful (16:48)
- 3. Traintime (7:02)
- 4. Toad (16:16)
CD 4 – Wheels of Fire: More Live at the Fillmore Auditorium & Winterland Ballroom (2026 Remaster)
- 1. NSU (10:15)
- 2. Sleepy Time Time (6:51)
- 3. Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (6:45)
- 4. Sweet Wine (15:18)
- 5. Tales of Brave Ulysses (4:45)
- 6. We’re Going Wrong (6:55) +
- 7. Sunshine of Your Love (7:25)
- 8. Steppin’ Out (13:41)
CD 5 – Wheels of Fire: Rarities (2026 Remaster) / Early Versions, Alternate Mixes, Single Versions and Live Recordings
- 1. White Room – Stereo US Single Edit (3:05)
- 2. Sitting on Top of the World – Alternate Stereo Mix (4:57) +
- 3. Passing the Time – Alternate Long Stereo Mix (5:51) +
- 4. As You Said – Alternate Stereo Mix (4:19) +
- 5. Pressed Rat and Warthog – Alternate Stereo Mix (3:10) +
- 6. Politician – Alternate Stereo Mix (4:11) +
- 7. Anyone for Tennis – Stereo Single Mix (2:39)
- 8. White Room – Early Version Mono Mix (4:29) +
- 9. Deserted Cities of the Heart – Rough Mono Mix / No Strings (3:37) +
- 10. Pressed Rat and Warthog – Alternate Mono Mix (3:14) +
- 11. As You Said – Alternate Mono Mix (4:21) +
- 12. Anyone for Tennis – Mono Single Mix (2:39)
- 13. Crossroads – Mono Single Version (4:16)
- 14. NSU – recorded March 9, 1968 at Winterland Ballroom (12:38)
- 15. Sunshine of Your Love – recorded March 7, 1968 at The Fillmore Auditorium (6:58)
A 3-LP vinyl set will also be released, containing the phase-corrected mix of the original album, the mono reference version and the eleven tracks from the fifth CD.
