Cream

Wheels of Fire

First released1968

Wheels of Fire was recorded between 1967 and 1968 at Atlantic Studios in New York and other locations, serving as Cream's second studio album. The album was produced by Felix Pappalardi, who played a significant role in shaping the band's sound during this period. The recording sessions captured the band's live energy alongside carefully crafted studio arrangements, with some tracks featuring overdubbing and studio experimentation while others showcased raw instrumental performances. The album marked a shift toward longer, more complex song structures and extended instrumental passages, reflecting the progressive rock influences emerging in late 1960s popular music. Released in August 1968, Wheels of Fire became one of the first double albums in rock music and achieved significant commercial success, reaching number one on the UK charts.