Like all bands and albums, this one holds a captivating backstory. In the early ’80s, Ray Alex’s journey began with NEPTUNE, a band known for its changing lineups, including Björn Melander (Gotham City) and Jan Granvik (Glory). When Granvik left, Anders Olsson joined until Neptune disbanded in 1987. Ray Alex then joined Granvik’s new band, Glory, contributing to their early demos and first single.
Post-Glory, Ray became the voice of West End and quickly created “Love is a Stranger” with Anders Olsson. This song later appeared on the album “In Truth We Trust.” After Neptune, Anders started Unicorn, and later reunited with former bandmates, including Tosh Ason from Line Out. They formed a new version of Neptune, set up a studio, and collaborated on various projects.
Tosh and Anders also created the band JAR, embracing modern recording technologies. Their innovative spirit led them to secure new equipment, even facing competition from Yngwie J. Malmsteen for a tape recorder. They welcomed Mike Lind as an assistant engineer, who contributed significantly to their sound. Lars Ericson (Le Ericson) added intricate guitar solos to their work.
“In Truth We Trust” was released in 1993 on cassette and later gained digital recognition on MP3.com. Fast forward to 2017, a record label reignited interest in NEPTUNE’s vintage recordings, leading to a renewed collaboration between Ray, Anders, and Tosh. Plans to reimagine “In Truth We Trust” were cut short by Ray Alex’s passing in early 2019. Ray, a blend of John Lawton and Elvis Presley, left an indelible mark on this album with his expressive voice and soulful vibrato.