Marc Bolan & T. Rex (March 1, 1974) – Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow Or A Creamed Cage In August (LP Gatefold)
Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow Or A Creamed Cage In August was released on March 1, 1974 and remains one of the most ambitious and controversial records in the T. Rex catalogue. It was the only album released under the name Marc Bolan & T. Rex rather than simply T. Rex.
The album represented a significant shift away from the familiar glam-rock formula that had established Bolan's success. Drawing inspiration from American soul and funk music, as well as his relationship with Gloria Jones, Bolan sought to expand the band's musical identity into what he described as "spaceage funk" and "interstellar supersoul."
At the time of release the album divided both critics and fans, although later reassessments have been considerably more positive. Today it is frequently viewed as an important transitional work that anticipated stylistic developments later explored by many major rock artists.
RECORDING
Recording sessions took place throughout 1973 at multiple locations including Rosenberg Studio in Copenhagen, AIR Studios in London, Wally Heider Studios in Hollywood, Musicland Studios in Munich, Sound Pit Studios in Atlanta, Elektra Sound Recorders in Hollywood and Electric Lady Studios in New York.
The project saw an expanded line-up with contributions from Jack Green, B.J. Cole, Lonnie Jordan and The Cosmic Choir featuring Gloria Jones,
Sister Pat Hall and Big Richard.
The album was co-produced by Marc Bolan and Tony Visconti. Following completion of the album, Tony Visconti's long association with T. Rex came to an end.
STYLE & THEMES
The album blends glam rock, funk, soul, rock, rhythm and blues and experimental studio approaches.
Bolan deliberately moved away from the concise boogie style of earlier T. Rex records, introducing layered vocal arrangements, expanded instrumentation, orchestration, grooves rooted in American soul music and more ambitious song structures.
The resulting album combines elements of funk, rock, psychedelia and soul while retaining Bolan's distinctive songwriting style.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Venus Loon — Opening track introducing the album's new musical direction.
• Sound Pit — Rhythm-driven recording drawing on American soul influences.
• Explosive Mouth — One of the album's most distinctive recordings.
• Galaxy — Short atmospheric composition.
• Change — Example of Bolan's evolving songwriting style.
• Nameless Wildness — Features expanded arrangements and a broader sound palette.
• Teenage Dream — Lead single from the album.
• Liquid Gang — One of the album's strongest funk-influenced tracks.
• Carsmile Smith & The Old One — Re-recorded during the album sessions.
• You Got To Jive To Stay Alive - Spanish
Midnight — Combines two linked compositions.
• Interstellar Soul — Reflects the album's "supersoul" concept.
• Painless Persuasion V The Meathawk Immaculate — One of Bolan's most unusual compositions.
• The Avengers (Superbad) — Funk-based recording later known by its alternate title.
• The Leopards Featuring Gardenia & The Mighty Slug — Album-closing performance.
BONUS TRACKS
• The Groover
• Midnight
• Truck On (Tyke)
• Sitting Here
• Satisfaction Pony
(1994 CD Reissue)
RELEASE HISTORY
Released in the UK on March 1, 1974.
Issued in a gatefold sleeve by the T. Rex label and distributed through EMI.
The album was not released in North
America at the time. Instead, selected material later appeared on Light Of Love.
Subsequent reissues included the 1994 CD edition with bonus tracks, the 1995 Change (The Alternate Zinc Alloy) companion release, a combined 2CD edition in 2002 and expanded archival editions issued in later years.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
• UK Albums Chart #12
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, producer
Mickey Finn — percussion
Bill Legend — drums
Steve Currie — bass
Danny Thompson — double bass
B.J. Cole — steel guitar
Jack Green — guitar
Lonnie Jordan — keyboards
Gloria Jones — backing vocals
Sister Pat Hall — backing vocals
Big Richard — backing vocals
Tony Visconti — production, mixing, mellotron, string arrangements
Paul Fenton — drums
PRODUCTION
Produced by Marc Bolan
Produced by Tony Visconti
Strings Arranged by Tony Visconti
Cover Design by John Kosh
Front Cover Photography by Richard Fitzgerald
Back Cover Photography by Neal Preston
Polaroids by Alphi
Label: T. Rex
NOTES
• Only studio album credited to Marc Bolan & T. Rex.
• Original UK gatefold sleeve.
• Printed lyric and credits inner sleeve.
• Distributed by EMI.
• Original title concept combined A Creamed Cage In August with the proposed group identity Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow.
• First UK pressing manufactured by EMI Records.
• Made and printed in Great Britain.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Album | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow Or A Creamed Cage In August | T. Rex | UK | BLNA 7751 / 0C 064 95172 | March 1, 1974 | LP, Gatefold |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow Or A Creamed Cage In August | Edsel / Rhino | Various | Rhino Records – R2 73219, Edsel Records – R2 73219, Demon Records – R2 73219 | 2002 | 2CD |
Marc Bolan & T. Rex | Change (The Alternate Zinc Alloy) | Edsel | Various | MEDCD 717 | 1995 | CD |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
LP | BLNA 7751 | Side One: • Venus Loon • Sound Pit • Explosive Mouth • Galaxy • Change • Nameless Wildness • Teenage Dream Side Two: • Liquid Gang • Carsmile Smith & The Old One • You Got To Jive To Stay Alive - Spanish Midnight • Interstellar Soul • Painless Persuasion V The Meathawk Immaculate • The Avengers (Superbad) • The Leopards Featuring Gardenia & The Mighty Slug |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts.
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This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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