Their legendary status undiminished by their short tenure, Cream--Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker--were the masters of psychedelic blues pop. Everything they ever recorded is worth hearing. Everything.

There are few true genre-defining bands in rock and roll. A musical form best known for imitiation and interpretation of a limited template, rock periodically spits out innovators that arrive by accident (Black Sabbath), sheer force of will (AC/DC), or, occasionally, via true genius (Joy Division).

Cream belong in the genius category. The original psychedelic-pop blues masters, young Clapton's power trio players were talented in virtually any genre they attempted. 1966's Fresh Cream demonstrates this; from the a capela inflected radio gem "I Feel Free," to the hard rocking rich man put-down "N.S.U." and the primal, grimy delta blues of their devastating cover of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful," everything on the debut works.

The following year saw the Summer of Love receive Cream's masterpiece, Disraeli Gears. The LP saw the maturation of Clapton's incendiary guitar playing, and the invention of one of the most recognizable riffs in rock, from "Sunshine of Your Love." The album also recognized the acid culture ("SWLABR") and the duplicity of the fairer sex ("Strange Brew") with equal aplomb.

Wheels of Fire and Goodbye would follow, with no shortage of hummable singles and driving blues jams. When Cream called it quits in 1968, their short career had kick started both Clapton's legend and the British Blues explosion.

In that sense, Cream's career was a lot like some of their poppier efforts: short, sweet, and unforgettable.