T. Rex (August 21, 2015) – The Slider Digital Remaster Album US: MP3
In August 2015, Spirit Music Group released a newly remastered digital edition of The Slider, making one of the defining albums of the glam rock era available as a high-quality digital download. Originally issued in 1972, The Slider followed the enormous success of Electric Warrior and arrived at a time when Marc Bolan and T. Rex were the biggest rock phenomenon in Britain.
By the summer of 1972, T. Rex had achieved a level of popularity few artists experience. The frenzy known as "T. Rextasy" was at its peak, with chart-topping singles, sold-out tours and devoted fans helping transform Marc Bolan into one of the most recognisable figures in popular culture.
Rather than simply attempting to recreate the success of Electric Warrior, Bolan expanded upon its formula. The result was an album that retained the glamour, confidence and immediacy of its predecessor while offering a more sophisticated and ambitious musical vision.
Today, The Slider is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of the 1970s and remains one of the most important releases in the entire T. Rex catalogue..
RECORDING
Recording sessions took place at Le Château d'Hérouville in France and Rosenberg Studio in Copenhagen.
Produced by Tony Visconti, the album brought together the classic T. Rex line-up of Marc Bolan, Steve Currie, Bill Legend and Mickey Finn. The sessions also benefitted from the vocal contributions of Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, whose harmonies added texture and depth to several tracks.
Visconti's production combined powerful rhythm arrangements, layered backing vocals and sweeping orchestral passages to create an album that sounded larger and more expansive than previous T. Rex releases. The chemistry between Visconti and Bolan reached one of its creative peaks during these sessions.
The album would go on to become one of the strongest artistic statements of the glam rock movement.
STYLE & THEMES
The Slider combines rock and roll, pop, glam rock and orchestral arrangements into a richly textured listening experience.
The album explores themes of fame, fantasy, romance, identity and celebrity while retaining the poetic imagery that had characterised Marc Bolan's songwriting since the Tyrannosaurus Rex era.
There is also a notable contrast running throughout the record. Hard-driving rockers such as Telegram Sam and Rabbit Fighter sit alongside atmospheric pieces such as Ballrooms Of Mars and Spaceball Ricochet. The result is an album that balances commercial appeal with artistic ambition.
Many listeners consider The Slider to be darker and more reflective than Electric Warrior, while still maintaining the energy and excitement that made T. Rex one of the defining bands of the period.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Metal Guru — Opening the album with one of the band's most celebrated singles, the track combines infectious melodies with the mystical imagery that became a Bolan trademark.
• Mystic Lady — Dreamlike and atmospheric, featuring some of the album's most elegant arrangements.
• Rock On — A confident rocker that demonstrates Bolan's gift for memorable hooks.
• The Slider — The title track remains one of the defining songs of the T. Rex catalogue.
• Baby Boomerang — A melodic and accessible album favourite highlighting Bolan's songwriting strength.
• Spaceball Ricochet — Often regarded as one of the band's finest recordings, balancing power and atmosphere in equal measure.
• Buick McKane — One of the most recognisable deep cuts in the catalogue and a concert favourite.
• Telegram Sam — A major hit single and one of the most important recordings of the glam rock era.
• Rabbit Fighter — Hard-edged rocker showcasing the band's growing confidence.
• Baby Strange — Compact, energetic and among the most beloved tracks in the T. Rex discography.
• Ballrooms Of Mars — Frequently cited as one of Marc Bolan's greatest compositions, combining lyrical imagination with a majestic arrangement.
• Chariot Choogle — Driving glam-rock anthem packed with energy.
• Main Man — The dramatic closing track that brings the album to a powerful conclusion.
RELATED RELEASES
• Electric Warrior
• Tanx
• Born To Boogie
• The Slider (Original 1972 LP)
• Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow
COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
When The Slider was released, T. Rex were at the height of their influence and popularity.
The album consolidated the extraordinary success established by Electric Warrior and helped confirm Marc Bolan as the central figure of the glam rock movement. The associated singles became staples of radio and television while continuing the remarkable run of chart success that had begun with Ride A White Swan.
The album remains one of the key recordings responsible for defining the sound and visual style of early 1970s glam rock.
LEGACY
More than fifty years after its original release, The Slider continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics, musicians and fans.
The record captures Marc Bolan at the height of his creative powers and represents one of the finest examples of glam rock ever recorded. Its influence can be heard across generations of artists who drew inspiration from Bolan's songwriting, stage presence and unique aesthetic.
For many listeners, The Slider stands alongside Electric Warrior as the essential T. Rex studio album and one of the defining records of the decade.
The 2015 digital remaster introduced the album to a new audience while preserving one of the crown jewels of the T. Rex catalogue.
RELEASE HISTORY
Originally released in 1972.
Digitally remastered and reissued by Spirit Music Group in the United States on August 21, 2015, as a 13-track MP3 album encoded at 320 kbps.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, composer
Steve Currie — bass
Bill Legend — drums
Mickey Finn — percussion, congas, vocals
Howard Kaylan — backing vocals
Mark Volman — backing vocals
Tony Visconti — producer, string arrangements
Dominique Blanc-Francard — engineer
Freddy Hansson — engineer
Ringo Starr — photography
PRODUCTION
Label: Spirit Music Group
Format: Digital Download
Country: USA
Released: August 21, 2015
Encoding: MP3, 320 kbps
Producer: Tony Visconti
Recording Studios: Le Château d'Hérouville, France / Rosenberg Studio, Copenhagen
NOTES
• Digital remastered edition released in 2015.
• Issued by Spirit Music Group.
• Available as 13 MP3 files encoded at 320 kbps.
• Originally released in 1972.
• Produced by Tony Visconti.
• Recorded in France and Denmark.
• Features the hit singles Metal Guru and Telegram Sam.
• Includes photography by Ringo Starr.
• Reissue design by Brandon Seavers
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Cat No. | Date | Format |
T. Rex | The Slider | Spirit Music Group | USA | None | August 21, 2015 | 13 × MP3 Files, Remastered, 320 kbps |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Tracklisting |
Digital Download | Tracks 1-13 • Metal Guru • Mystic Lady • Rock On • The Slider • Baby Boomerang • Spaceball Ricochet • Buick McKane • Telegram Sam • Rabbit Fighter • Baby Strange • Ballrooms Of Mars • Chariot Choogle • Main Man |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, RockfilesUK.
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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