Marc Bolan & T Rex - The Essential Collection



Marc Bolan formed ''Tyrannosaurus Rex'' In the late sixties playing psychedelic folk with other band member Steve Peregrin Took, and received decent success with hits like ''Debora''. Marc split the duo by the end of the decade and went on to form T-Rex. Emerging from the swinging 60s, his new band received much adoration and produced hit after hit, becoming the biggest selling band of the early 70s. Classic songs like ''Get it on'' and ''Ride a white swan'' were so different and Marc''s voice and image so unique that his army of fans soon grew and glam had crowned its own king. His influence, which can still be felt today, soon spread and brought life to artists like David Bowie.



The band were no strangers to the number one spot and T Rextacy swept the nation. Bolan epitomised 70s cool so much that he was even given his own TV show, Marc, which featured music from T Rex and guest artists. Marc Bolan re-invented the 3 minute pop single and made the formula work again and again. He enjoyed a decade of success until his untimely death in 1977.

Focus on a guitar great



Focus were one of the more unusual success stories of the early Seventies. Formed by clasically trained flautist and keyboard player Thijs Van Leer and virtuoso guitarist Jan Akkerman, the group combined classical motifs and structures with jazz improvisation and the visceral power of rock. On ''The Old Grey Whistle Test'' in 1972 the band caused a sensation and, for the next few days, Polydor had to devote its plant to pressing its albums ''Moving Waves'' and ''Focus 3'', such was the demand. Two hit singles followed, the bizarre ''Hocus Pocus'' and catchy ''Sylvia'', and frequent tours confirmed the band''s live reputation.



Akkerman''s departure on the eve of a 1976 British tour was the beginning of the end for the band, and his own career post-Focus has been uneven, with too many albums being little more than bland jazz-funk workouts. However, his 2004 release ''CU'' (Angel Air) was his best for many years, containing some fine, restrained playing. If there''s a disappointment it''s that Akkerman shows no wish to revisit some of the European classical influences that helped make his work with Focus so distinctive.