PLAYLIST NEW ALBUM RELEASES CROP OF THE CREAM.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

CREAM: ``BBC Sessions'' (Polydor/Universal)

The buzz about Cream in British music circles was so strong in 1966 that the influential blues-rock trio was invited to record versions of their songs for BBC radio prior to the release of their ``Fresh Cream'' debut album.

BBC radio tapings were a prestigious event for groups including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The sessions, broadcast with only the most minimal overdubs, forced musicians to intently focus, since each song had to be around three minutes in length.

Cream's 22-track ``BBC Sessions,'' issued some 35 years after they were first heard, reveals the quintessential power trio - guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker - energetically performing classics like ``Crossroads'' (pre-dating the ``Wheels of Fire'' live rendition by a year and a half), ``Sunshine of Your Love,'' ``Strange Brew'' and ``Politician.''

Also included are four short interview segments with Clapton from the original BBC broadcasts in 1966-68. The radio set adds another view of a band that had a recording life of just more than two years, yet influenced generations of musicians.

Bill Levenson, the compilation's producer, explains why there continues to be such enthusiasm for the trio.

Q: These BBC sessions place Cream in a pop context, don't they?

The concept stripped away the studio shine and took away the long improvisations, leaving a much more direct look at the songs and performance. It's very unfiltered. This format was in its heyday from 1966 to 1968, and the broadcasts had to be fresh because the acts were playing their current hits. In Britain, singles didn't have a long shelf life. After 1968, BBC radio began putting bands in front of studio audiences or taping live gigs. So this idea of bringing Cream to a studio to re-create their material in two or three minutes was a wonderful idea.

Q: Why was Clapton the subject of the interview segments when Bruce and Baker were equally articulate?

I think Eric was always put forth as the spokesman since he had such name recognition from his work with the Yardbirds and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. I don't know if Eric was the official spokesman or if he was just more available and talkative than the others.

Q: What was the reaction of Clapton, Bruce and Baker to this project?

We deal with Eric through his management, and while he keeps his distance, he signed off on it. Jack was in the midst of remastering his solo albums and was a bit worried at first but then agreed to it. And Baker is in Africa somewhere.

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Photo:

Ginger Baker, left, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce.