Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Marc Bolan's first single of 1972, 'Telegram Sam,' also marked the debut release on his T Rex Wax Co label. The song is a tribute to his manager, Tony Secunda, who played a crucial role in securing the label and substantial earnings for Bolan. Recorded in Copenhagen, 'Telegram Sam' is a taut rocker brimming with power and excitement, driven by one of Bolan's most insistent riffs. It served as the public's first taste of what would become T. Rex's next album, the masterful The Slider. The single topped the U.K. charts effortlessly. This reissue, released on a 7" picture disc featuring rare photos of Marc Bolan, captures the single's historic and musical significance, making it a valuable addition to the collections of glam aficionados everywhere.

Review: Demon Records continues its series of collectible 7" picture disc releases with T Rex's 1972 singles, showcasing photos from the Keith Morris archive. The standout track is the iconic 'Children Of The Revolution,' originally launched in September 1972. This song, one of Marc Bolan's most celebrated works, reached number 2 on the UK charts, where it remained for three weeks. 'Children Of The Revolution' has been reinterpreted by artists like Violent Femmes, The Scorpions, Kesha, and Bono for the film Moulin Rouge. Neither this track nor its B-sides, 'Jitterbug Love' and 'Sunken Rags,' were included on the Tanx album, released in March 1973. These new archive pictures add a tremendous collectability to this series.

Review: Bolan Boogie, released in May 1972, is a crucial snapshot of T. Rex at the height of their glam rock fame. This special reissue on blue and yellow vinyl 2xLP brings back the magic of the original compilation, which features singles, B-sides and album tracks from Unicorn and A Beard of Stars, with hits like 'Get It On' and 'Hot Love' defining the sound of Marc Bolan's rise to stardom. A must-have for fans, this edition captures the electric energy of T Rex's golden era.

Review: This compilation offers a fresh perspective on the iconic T. Rex, delving into their extensive archive to unearth alternate versions and unheard material. 'The Alternative Album' shines a light on the band's cohesive "group" vibe, showcasing the interplay between Marc Bolan, Bill Legend, Mickey Finn and Steve Currie. The tracklist is a treasure trove for fans, with alternate takes of classics like 'Get It On', 'Children of the Revolution', and '20th Century Boy' offering new insights into the band's creative process. Rarities like 'Mystic Lady' and the 'Denmark' version of 'Buick Mackane' add further depth, while the inclusion of instrumental jams and alternate mixes provides a glimpse behind the curtain of their studio sessions. With insightful notes by drummer Bill Legend, this compilation is a must-have for any T. Rex aficionado, offering a fresh perspective on one of rock's most iconic bands.

Review: Marc Bolan and T. Rex defined the UK glam rock scene of the 70s with their swaggering rock & roll, infectious boogie rhythms and bold fashion. For a time, they were the biggest band in England, and though their stardom faded, their impact never did. Bolan's influence is evident across metal, punk, new wave, and alternative rock, even shaping the 80s new romantic movement. This vibrant collection captures the spirit and style that made T. Rex legendary. Fans of classic rock and collectors of vinyl will appreciate the bold presentation and timeless tracks that defined an era. Released in red vinyl that matches the cover nicely.

Review: On limited edition translucent red vinyl comes T Rex's The Slider LP, the then mad-hatted rock maven's seventh and most celebrated album. Known not only for its production by studio legend Tony Visconti, but also for its two lead singles 'Telegram Sam' and 'Metal Guru', The Slider is perhaps one of the best-skimmed creams of the 70s' glam rock era. The Slider caught the peak of what was soon to be dubbed "Bolanmania" and/or "T. Rextacy", owing to Bolan's then almost messianic onstage presence and fan fervour. 'Metal Guru', for example, takes after Bolan's invocation of a sort of rock musical "godhead" in his songwriting sessions; a demiurgic guru whose power compels him to loneliness despite the glamour. The record is also noted for its harder tone than his earlier records like Electric Warrior, with the likes of 'Buick MacKane' and 'Chariot Choogle' earning the cheeky label "Zep Rex", in reference to the zippier among his songs.

Review: This record from 1973 was T. Rex's their eighth since debuting as Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1968 and fourth under the T. Rex name. It was produced by Tony Visconti during the height of Bolanmania era and marked a shift in Marc Bolan's style by blending soul, funk and gospel influences alongside tracks reminiscent of The Slider. Highlights include 'Tenement Lady,' 'Bolan Boogie' and 'Mad Donna' and for this special edition, the cover art has been recreated by John Kosh, the original designer and former Apple Records creative director.

Review: Released in May 1972, Bolan Boogie is a pivotal compilation album by T. Rex, capturing the height of T. Rextasy. Following Marc Bolan's departure from Fly Records to form his own label, this album was released by Fly as a collection of recent single A- and B-sides from 1970 and 1971, many of which had not appeared on previous albums. The compilation also includes tracks from the albums Unicorn (1969), A Beard of Stars (1970), and T. Rex (1970). With T. Rex at the peak of their popularity, Bolan Boogie quickly soared to number one on the UK Albums Chart, spending three weeks at the topimarking Bolan's last album to achieve this feat. The tracklist features some of Bolan's most iconic work, including 'Get It On,' 'Ride a White Swan,' and 'Hot Love.' This reissued 2xCD edition offers fans a chance to relive the glam rock magic of T. Rex during one of the most influential periods in the band's history, solidifying Marc Bolan's legacy as a cornerstone of the genre.

Review: Marc Bolan's influence on rock music is huge. Everyone from Morrissey and Oasis to newcomers like Bobbie Dazzle worship the ground his stack heels walked on, not forgetting the break he gave The Damned by taking the band's original lineup on tour with him. It extends way beyond the obvious big hitting singles, as this less comprehensive, more completely exhaustive collection of B-sides corralled for RSD 2025 demonstrates. He's the master of the short, sharp pop track - no song reaches four minutes and most are under three - and just about anything here would qualify as A-sides in a lesser band's arsenal. From the folksy strumalong 'Sitting Here' to the electric shock guitar of 'Free Angel' and even a glorious cover of Otis Redding's 'Dock Of The Bay' featuring "The Queen of Northern Soul" Gloria Jones, this is yet more evidence of why the man was a huge, huge legend.

Review: Before Marc Bolan's untimely passing in 1977, T. Rex was a cultural whirlwind, an electric force that blurred the lines between glam rock and larger-than-life mythology. The band's influence during the early 70s reached levels that not only defined a generation but also cultivated the feverish phenomenon known as "Trextasy," rivaling even the mania of Beatlemania. Amid the hits that catapulted them into superstardom, hidden on the flipsides of their most famous singles, were some of Bolan's most vivid and unpredictable musical momentsitracks that now stand as an alternative narrative to the T. Rex story. This collection brings together 27 of these gems, charting a journey from the swaggering energy of 'Telegram Sam' to the reflective tones of 'Celebrate Summer.' These B-sides, often overlooked in favour of their A-side counterparts, show a different side to Bolan's genius. Many of these tracks, such as 'Cadillac,' 'Thunderwing,' and 'Lady,' could have easily stood on their own as hit singles, their impact only diminished by their position as B-sides. 'Born To Boogie' gets a newly discovered single mix, while 'Sunken Rags' offers an introspective side of Bolan that feels like a hidden treasure. The inclusion of Gloria Jones adds a fresh layer of soul to the proceedings, her voice a perfect foil to Bolan's otherworldly swagger. These tracks, strung together in one place, feel like an alternative history of T. Rex, highlighting the artistry that was often buried beneath the mainstream success. They not only reaffirm Bolan's stature as a visionary, but they also open up new pathways for the listener, offering an alternative lens through which to understand the full depth of his music.

Review: Once again, Vinyl Me, Please respond only to music fans' demand - it's their business model - in reissuing this long beloved T. Rex record. Their self-titled debut glam rock kickoff, entitled T. Rex, was the only record to feature both Marc Bolan and percussionist Mickey Finn centre stage (hence the two-figure album cover) as a duo, before Steve Currie and Bill Legend would join in 1971, making the outfit a foursome despite Bolan's predominance. Not as renowned as Electric Warrior or The Slider in the grand scheme, T. Rex nonetheless brought the band chart and commercial success, following a two-year comeup; this almost certainly resulted from its sophisticated, avant-blues pop sound and distinctive hyena vocals from Bolan, though Finn's percussions show remarkable restraint too. Add to this a dash of incredible electric rock stereo mixing; a pin-rolling of shock-rocky, flaired style; and a lengthy marinading in sex appeal; and voila, you've an unstoppable career.

Review: Demon Records celebrates the 50th anniversary of Marc Bolan and T Rex's Light Of Love with a special edition release. Originally a US-only album from late 1974, it first appeared on the Casablanca Records label. This edition honors its historical significance and offers a glimpse into Bolan's evolving artistry. Light Of Love features eight tracks recorded in the US, initially intended for the band's 1975 UK album Bolan's Zip Gun. To cater to the American market, Bolan included three tracks from the yet-to-be-released Zinc Alloy album: 'Teenage Dream,' 'Explosive Mouth,' and 'Venus Loon.' Among the new tracks is 'Till Dawn,' notable for being Bolan's final collaboration with Tony Visconti, who provided a lush string arrangement. This anniversary edition is pressed on 140-gram orange vinyl and it comes in the original sleeve design, accompanied by a new inner sleeve. Light Of Love exemplifies Bolan's blend of glam rock and inventive musicality, offering a nostalgic yet fresh listening experience.

Review: Bolan Boogie is often considered one of the best compilations of T Rex's work and, for many, it feels like a main sequence album. Released in 1972, this collection of 14 tracks brilliantly captures the transition from Tyrannosaurus Rex to T. Rex, offering both new listeners and long-time fans a comprehensive introduction to Marc Bolan's genius. From the mythical beauty of 'She Was Born to Be My Unicorn' to the electrifying power of 'Jewel,' every song on this album has a lasting impact. Tracks like 'Woodland Rock' and 'Raw Ramp' show the band's ability to merge rock with imaginative, almost otherworldly lyrics. 'Get It On,' one of Bolan's most popular songs, still sends shivers down the spine with its iconic riff, while 'Hot Love' captures the carefree spirit of T. Rex at their peak. Bolan Boogie is more than just a compilation; it's a journey through some of the most creative and memorable moments in T. Rex's history. For those looking to explore Marc Bolan's world, this album is an essential listen. Now available on 2x12 vinyl, it's a timeless celebration of a rock legend.