Disraeli Gears

Disraeli Gears was released in November 1967 and went on to reach No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also the group’s American breakthrough, becoming a massive seller in 1968, and reaching No. 4 on the American charts. The album was No. 1 for two weeks on the Australian album chart and was listed as the No. 1 album of 1968 by Cash Box in the year-end album chart in the United States. The album features the two singles “Strange Brew” and “Sunshine of Your Love.” According to Dowd, the recording sessions took only three and a half days, a feat considering the length of the album. The band’s visas expired on the very last day of recording.

The original 11-track album was remastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio at PolyGram Studios for a 1998 release, including bonus photographs accompanying the original album artwork. The Disraeli Gears Deluxe Edition includes the complete album in both mono and stereo, demos, alternate takes and tracks taken from the band’s live sessions on BBC radio. Included is an outtake of “Blue Condition” with Eric Clapton on lead vocals and demos of the songs “Weird of Hermiston” and “The Clearout” which were not released until Jack Bruce’s first solo album Songs for a Tailor.