T REX レコード& CD

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: 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: 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.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: T Rex, and Mark Bolan, will forever be remembered as one of the all-time greatest British rock 'n' roll bands. Perhaps what's so remarkable is just how varied the outfit's output during their decade-long tenure as cult then chart-topping heroes, moving from the psychedelic folk movement into the heady world of glam rock as the 1960s drew to a close. Those who haven't explored their full back catalogue should do so as a matter of urgency. Tanx and Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow are two bonafide gems therein, both albums reflecting the broad influences that helped forge such a unique sound for the group. 'The Groover', and its B-side, 'Midnight', appeared on neither, released only as a standalone 1973 single, but have regularly been attached to special edition versions of those LPs. Now's the chance to own them in their original format.

Review: Their latest release in the Marc Bolan Songwriter series, following on from the success of Songwriter: 1970 and Songwriter: 1971, Demon Records are introducing Songwriter: 1973 to their catalogue. An intimate, vinyl-only look into the influential artist's prolific output, Songwriter: 1971 delves into a period of change during which Bolan was more active than ever, recording music incessantly in recording studios in both the US and Europe - an era in which the distinctive T Rex sound was becoming increasingly limiting for the artist. Over the course of this in depth sixteen-track compilation, featuring a fascinating selection of finished recordings and working versions, this next chapter charts Bolan's attempts to develop and ultimately move away from the sound he had invented for himself.

Review: The Marc Bolan 'Songwriter' series has proven hugely successful and after the focus was on 1972 last time out, this time we jump another year back to 1971. This vinyl-only and intimate release shines a light on the private life of Bolan and how that altered his approach to songwriting. It was in 1972 that his band T-REx became chart-topping superstars and across the 19 tunes here are long versions of tunes like 'Hot Love' and 'Get It On' as well as plenty of b-sides, working versions and demos and a nearly 15-minute long acoustic demo of 'Children of Rarn.'