Latest releases reviewed

CREAM Classic Albums - Disraeli Gears Eagle Rock ***

Eagle Rock continues its generally excellent series of in-depth overviews of classic albums with one of the most pivotal records of 1960s psychedelic rock: Cream's Disraeli Gears, which brought the likes of superb Summer of Love anthems Strange Brew and Sunshine of Your Love to the population at large. Yet, as all three former members of Cream (Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker) make obvious in this fastidiously detailed documentary, their creative and personal relationships were more along the lines of the former song than the latter. There is, therefore, much vicarious if guilty pleasure to be gleaned from the trio's (still?) rancorous reminiscences, which give the film more of a serrated edge than you might think. Sour Cream after all these years? Reckon so. Extras include exclusive acoustic performances and interviews.

Tony Clayton-Lea

VARIOUS Specialten 14 Specialten ****

A bi-monthly DVD magazine, Specialten has already gathered many plaudits for its fine spread of features, flicks and videos. While there are plenty of outlets running the rule over music, films and animation, Specialten scores highly thanks to some exquisite design elements (each DVD comes with a beautifully produced booklet) and a freewheeling approach to the content within (previous issues have included in-depth pieces on punk rock film-maker Don Letts and the work of Cat Power). Issue No 14 has a back-of-a-taxi chat with Swedish-Argentinean crooner Jose Gonzalez, an insightful piece on Matmos, and videos from Massive Attack, Animal Collective, Jamie Lidell and New York punky buccaneers The Rogers Sisters. There's also a profile of sculptor Keith Edmier, an animated movie from Cedric Babouche, and an interview with publisher Edward Booth-Clibborn about his work with such illustrators as Ralph Steadman. www.specialten.com

Jim Carroll