🔘 Prophets, Seers & Sages... – Album Mono/Stereo: Nov. 1968

Tyrannosaurus Rex’s second album expanded Marc Bolan’s mystical, acoustic vision into a deeper, more confident psychedelic folk statement. Recorded at Trident Studios during the summer of 1968, the album refined the duo’s enchanted, percussive sound while continuing their exploration of mythic imagery, whimsical narratives, and Eastern‑tinged textures. Released only four months after their debut, it captured the band’s rapid ascent within the British underground scene.

Released on November 1 1968 by Regal Zonophone (SLRZ 1005), the album marked the duo’s second collaboration with producer Tony Visconti. It showcased a richer, more intricate acoustic palette, with Steve Peregrin Took’s array of percussion — bongos, African talking drum, pixiphone, Chinese gong — adding colour to Bolan’s distinctive vocal and guitar style. Although critically admired, the album charted modestly due to its close proximity to the debut.

Label: Regal Zonophone

Catalogue Number: SLRZ 1005

Format: LP (12") — Stereo (also issued in Mono: LRZ 1005)

Released: November 1 1968 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK LP — Regal Zonophone – SLRZ 1005 — 1968

Side A

• Deboraarobed

• Stacey Grove

• Wind Quartets

• Conesuala

• Trelawny Lawn

• Aznageel The Mage

• The Friends

Side B

• Salamanda Palaganda

• Our Wonderful Brownskin Man

• O Harley (The Saltimbanques)

• Eastern Spell

• The Travelling Tragition

• Juniper Suction

• Scenescof Dynasty

Writing Credits

• Marc Bolan — all tracks

Production Credits

• Produced by: Tony Visconti (for Straight Ahead Productions)

• Arranged by: Marc Bolan, Steve Peregrin Took

• Recorded: 16 May – 8 August 1968, Trident Studios, London

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released November 1 1968

• Lead single(s): none

• Chart performance: UK peak #44

• Recorded at: Trident Studios, London

• Notable collaborators: Tony Visconti, Malcolm Toft, Pete Sanders

• Era significance: second Tyrannosaurus Rex album; deepening of the duo’s psychedelic folk identity

🔘 The Story

Following the unexpected success of My People Were Fair…, Tyrannosaurus Rex entered 1968 with growing momentum. Their debut had reached #15 on the UK Albums Chart, and the non‑LP single “Debora” had charted at #34. Increased demand for live appearances, festival slots, and underground club performances helped solidify their reputation.

During the summer of 1968, the duo signed with Blackhill Enterprises — the management team behind Pink Floyd — and Bolan began a relationship with June Child, who became a key figure in his life and career. As they completed the album, their second single “One Inch Rock” reached #28, confirming their rising profile.

Recorded at Trident Studios between May and August 1968, the album expanded the duo’s acoustic sound with Took’s eclectic percussion and Bolan’s increasingly confident songwriting. Despite its artistic growth, the album’s commercial performance was modest, peaking at #44 — likely affected by its release only four months after the debut.

🔘 Personnel

Tyrannosaurus Rex

• Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar

• Steve Peregrin Took — bongos, vocals, African talking drum, assorted percussion, kazoo, Pixiphone, Chinese gong

Technical

• Tony Visconti — producer

• Malcolm Toft — engineer

• Pete Sanders — photography

🔘 Variants (UK)

• LP — Regal Zonophone – SLRZ 1005 — UK — 1968 — Stereo

• LP — Regal Zonophone – LRZ 1005 — UK — 1968 — Mono

• Issued in textured flipback sleeve with insert

🔘 Sleeves

• Primary sleeve: outdoor photograph of Bolan and Took, cloaked and costumed, standing on grass

• Back cover notes: includes “A ‘NEW BREED’ PRODUCTION” and personal thanks to June Child and others

• Record label: Regal Zonophone red label with SLRZ. 1005 notation

• Alternate sleeves: mono LRZ 1005 edition; later reissues paired with My People Were Fair…

SLEEVE IMAGE BLOCK

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Albums Chart

Peak Position: 44 (reissue)

Total Weeks: [not specified]

First Chart Date: 1972

🔘 Context & Notes

• Album era: psychedelic folk; rapid follow‑up to debut

• Singles: “One Inch Rock” (non‑LP)

• Production: Tony Visconti

• Sleeve notes: Pete Sanders photography; back‑cover credits to friends and supporters

• Historical placement: second album in the Tyrannosaurus Rex chronology; precursor to Unicorn (1969)

• Reissues: included in later double‑LP sets and expanded editions

🔘 Related Material

• My People Were Fair… (1968)

• Unicorn (1969)

• “One Inch Rock” (1968 single)

🔘 Discography

My People Were Fair… — 1968

Prophets, Seers & Sages The Angels Of The Ages — 1968

Unicorn — 1969

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ May 1968 — Recording begins at Trident Studios

✦ 14 Oct 1968 — Album released

✦ Late 1968 — Album charts at #44

✦ 1969 — Follow‑up album Unicorn released

🔘 Glam Flashback

Before the glitter and the stomp, Bolan’s magic lived in whispered spells, woodland mysticism, and Took’s enchanted percussion.

#ReleaseChronicle #TyrannosaurusRex #ProphetsSeersAndSages #1968 #RegalZonophone

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: Regal Zonophone, Discogs, contemporary music‑press documentation, archival references.