T. Rex (August 21, 2015) – Futuristic Dragon Digital Remaster Album US: MP3

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In 2015, Spirit Music Group issued a newly remastered digital edition of Futuristic Dragon, making Marc Bolan's 1976 studio album available in downloadable MP3 format. The release formed part of a broader programme of catalogue restoration and introduced a remastered version of one of the most fascinating and misunderstood albums in the T. Rex canon.

Originally released during a period when musical fashions were changing rapidly, Futuristic Dragon arrived at a time when Marc Bolan was attempting to reinvent both himself and T. Rex. While glam rock's commercial dominance had faded from its early-1970s peak, Bolan remained determined to push forward creatively rather than simply recreate previous successes.

The album occupies a unique position within the T. Rex story. It sits between the transitional experiments of Bolan's Zip Gun and the acclaimed comeback album Dandy In The Underworld, documenting a songwriter still searching for new directions while retaining the melodic instincts that had made him one of Britain's most successful rock stars.

Over time, Futuristic Dragon has gained a substantial cult following and is now frequently cited as one of the most innovative releases of Bolan's later career..

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RECORDING

Marc Bolan produced the album himself and wrote every track included in the original programme.

The recordings brought together a talented supporting cast that included longtime T. Rex bassist Steve Currie and drummer Davy Lutton. Gloria Jones contributed backing vocals and clavinet, helping to strengthen the soul influences that had increasingly entered Bolan's music during the mid-1970s.

Additional string arrangements were provided by Jimmie Haskell, whose contributions added depth and sophistication to several recordings.

The album also reflects Bolan's growing interest in studio technology. In addition to his vocals and guitar work, he used Moog synthesizer textures that contributed to the record's futuristic atmosphere and distinctive character.

STYLE & THEMES

The title Futuristic Dragon perfectly summarises the album's unusual blend of science fiction imagery, fantasy themes and modern pop music.

Where earlier T. Rex albums often drew upon boogie, blues and glam rock foundations, this record embraces a broader stylistic palette. Elements of soul, pop, orchestral arrangements and synthesizer textures sit alongside the band's traditional guitar-driven sound.

Throughout the album, Bolan projects a sense of reinvention. The songs often focus on movement, travel, city life, futuristic imagery and larger-than-life characters. The result is an album that sounds ambitious, colourful and frequently unpredictable.

Far from being a nostalgic return to past glories, Futuristic Dragon presents an artist actively attempting to redefine himself.

PERSONNEL

Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, Moog synthesizer, producer, songwriter

Gloria Jones — backing vocals, clavinet

Steve Currie — bass

Davy Lutton — drums

Jimmie Haskell — strings

PRODUCTION

Label: Spirit Music Group

Format: Digital Download

Encoding: MP3 320 kbps

Country: USA

Released: August 21, 2015

Producer: Marc Bolan

NOTES

• Digital remastered edition released in 2015.

• Issued by Spirit Music Group.

• Available as thirteen MP3 files.

• Encoded at 320 kbps.

• Produced entirely by Marc Bolan.

• Features contributions from Gloria Jones, Steve Currie, Davy Lutton and Jimmie Haskell.

• Includes the opening track Futuristic Dragon (Introduction).

• Released in the United States as a digital download.

RELATED RELEASES

• Bolan's Zip Gun

• Futuristic Dragon (Original 1976 LP)

• Dandy In The Underworld

• The Final Cuts

• Born To Boogie (The Soundtrack Album)

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

• Futuristic Dragon (Introduction) — Atmospheric opening piece establishing the album's conceptual mood.

• Jupiter Liar — A strong rocker that combines familiar T. Rex swagger with modern mid-1970s production techniques.

• Chrome Sitar — One of the most distinctive tracks in the catalogue, merging exotic textures with futuristic imagery.

• All Alone — A more reflective performance that provides contrast to the album's louder moments.

• New York City — One of Bolan's most successful later-period recordings and a standout track from the era.

• My Little Baby — A concise pop-rock performance built around an infectious melody.

• Calling All Destroyers — Energetic and aggressive, becoming one of the album's most enduring fan favourites.

• Theme For A Dragon — A brief instrumental-style piece linking several of the album's conceptual ideas.

• Sensation Boulevard — Strong melodic craftsmanship combined with contemporary production.

• Ride My Wheels — A fast-moving rocker that reflects the album's recurring themes of momentum and movement.

• Dreamy Lady — One of the album's most commercial recordings and a popular favourite among collectors.

• Dawn Storm — Atmospheric and dramatic, demonstrating Bolan's continuing lyrical imagination.

• Casual Agent — Closing the programme with another character-based song that reflects Bolan's fascination with larger-than-life personalities.

SIGNIFICANCE

The reassessment of Futuristic Dragon has been one of the most interesting developments in modern T. Rex scholarship.

For many years, discussion of the album tended to focus on its position outside the band's commercial peak. More recent listeners, however, have increasingly appreciated its originality and willingness to take risks.

The record demonstrates that Marc Bolan remained creatively restless throughout the 1970s. Rather than repeating established formulas, he continued experimenting with arrangements, sounds and ideas even when commercial expectations suggested a safer approach.

Today the album is widely regarded as an essential part of understanding Bolan's artistic development during the final phase of T. Rex.

RELEASE HISTORY

Originally issued in 1976, Futuristic Dragon was digitally remastered and released by Spirit Music Group on August 21, 2015.

The release was distributed as a thirteen-track MP3 download encoded at 320 kbps and featured newly remastered audio.

RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE

Artist	Title	Label	Country	Cat No.	Date	Format
T. Rex	Futuristic Dragon	Spirit Music Group	USA	None	August 21, 2015	13 × MP3 Files, Remastered, 320 kbps
T. Rex	Futuristic Dragon	Imperial Records	Japan	TECI-20708	2016	CD Reissue

TRACKLIST TABLE

Format	Tracklisting
Digital Download	• Futuristic Dragon (Introduction) • Jupiter Liar • Chrome Sitar • All Alone • New York City • My Little Baby • Calling All Destroyers • Theme For A Dragon • Sensation Boulevard • Ride My Wheels • Dreamy Lady • Dawn Storm • Casual Agent

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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.

No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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