The Last Dragon [Original recording remastered, Soundtrack]

Various Artists (Composer), Misha Segal (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2001)
• Original Release Date: March 22, 1985
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B00005J9V2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,750 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The remastered soundtrack has that "Glow"....., June 14, 2001

By 

Bankz "Cesar Z" (Dallas TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Dragon (Audio CD)

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!

For years I listened to my cassette version of this soundtrack. But years of play takes its use on cassette tapes. But not anymore because of the release of the Remastered CD version of this soundtrack. If you think you heard these songs before on the cassette version, you are wrong. The versions of the songs on this CD are longer and more crisp and far superior to the cassette versions. All the songs on this CD true reflect the time period it was released. But you have to wonder....who are these people that wrote the good songs because many of them are by no-name artists.

The Last Dragon by Dwight David is a excellent upbeat song the is the opening music to the movie. Catchy tunes and a mean guitar will have you humming, " you are the last dragon..."

7th Heaven by Vanity is the song that opens up and introduces you to Vanity's charcter and her dance show. It is a very catchy tune that seems to play that 7th Heaven is a place where angels and devils can have a dancing good time.

Star by Alfie is a very pleasant song that describes how one person or one thing can bring out the best in you.

Fire by Charlene is by a person who I have no idea who is...but I would love to meet her! A very powerfull love song that comes in a weird time in the movie. The song plays as Eddie Arcadian takes control over 7th Heaven and kidnaps vanity's character.

The Glow by Willie Hutch is a song that any 80's rap fan would have instantly fallen in love with. A quick rap and a strong beat talk about how when you get that "glow", your mind, body and soul will be one. A excellent track on this cd.

Rhythm Of The Night by DeBarge is a song that showcases on 7th Heaven's dance show. Very popular song at the time actually did not help the movie gain any attention. But it is still a great song.

Upset Stomach by Stevie Wonder is another attempt to gain popularity for the movie. A very funny tune that pretty much explains the situation Leroy Green is involved in within the movie.

First Time On A Ferris Wheel by Smokey Robinson/Syreeta is the main love song that plays at the end of the movie. Very nice song that explains how finding love for the first time can be like riding a Ferris Wheel.

Peeping Tom by Rockwell is nice song that basically explains the attraction Vanity's Character has with Leroy Brown(main character).

Inside You by Willie Hutch is a song that describes how Leroy Brown can find his way to "the glow".

If you truly love the movie, then I know you will love the soundtrack. The fact that they are re-releasing the movie and the soundtrack just shows you how much people really enjoyed and missed this movie.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great to see this again, but why the extended segments?, December 23, 2003

By 

Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Dragon (Audio CD)

I originally had this on cassette and when this was finally reissued on CD, I pounced at it. I enjoyed it, but discovered some added bits to it, which was a bit jarring when some of them were quite extended. My complaint, why not just leave it alone?

Songs on the Eastern Side: The title track by Dwight David, done in the opening sequence when Taimak is practicing, has the atmosphere of a warrior or fighter in training. Despite the synths and horns, this is more a rock song than R&B with the fiery electric guitar. The theme of finding "a power deep inside you, an inner strength you'll find in time of need, the glow" and taking that journey for inner realization is key to the movie and this song.

As long as this soundtrack stays in print, "7th Heaven" will be the only extant Vanity solo, her albums Wild Animal and Skin On Skin criminally out of print, and this catchy number, which her character sings in the movie, is a standout, given her sultry vocals. While not sporting anything explicit like "Pretty Mess", there are some innuendo here.

The mid-paced "Star" done with a calypso-like vibes by Alfie, had a video for it where she stole the movie posters of The Last Dragon. Her vocals veer towards R&B/gospel when she really hits that high note.

"Fire" by Charlene has a pulsing rock beat and tempo, and even a reminder of a Pat Benatar rocker. One of the higher energy tracks here.

Having done songs for The Mack and Foxy Brown, Willie Hutch does his magic on two songs. The first is "The Glow" whose pronounced drums . The song His fast-talking tongue-twisting rap in the second verse, the funky bass, and his words on reaching that upper level when one's mind, body, and soul must be one" is clearly taken from mystical philosophy. And that ethereal female backing chorus adds a cool touch. This is one of the tracks where some extra lyrics and a more techno-like beat was added for the reissue.

Songs on the Western Side: DeBarge's biggest hit, "Rhythm Of The Night" began life here and is the title track on their last album with El DeBarge.

"Upset Stomach" features Stevie's characteristic fuzzy bass synthesizer and sound effects that sound like a ratchet. While it's good for this soundtrack, pales in comparison to his 70's oeuvre. Another tracks with extra material added.

The love theme to the movie, "First Time On A Ferris Wheel" was only done at the end of the movie and during the credits, when Taimak and Vanity finally come together. Pianos, lush strings, and the duet between Smokey Robinson and Syreeta make a great combination. Fortunately, nothing new has been added to this ballad, so whew to this standout cut.

Rockwell's "Peeping Tom" is an exercise in synth R&B with some classic disco overtones and pulsing bass.

Willie Hutch gets backing from the Temptations on "Inside You" which has been altered via an extended futuristic keyboard segment at the beginning. The inner search theme is explored once again in this fast-paced electric guitar dance track.

While I still enjoy this soundtrack, I would've preferred if the extended numbers had stayed the way they were, as they add nothing to the songs, and for that, I take away a point.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time!, August 14, 2001

By 

Ben (Smyrna, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Dragon (Audio CD)

Yes, finally this soundtrack has been re-released! I've been looking for this for years. The Last Dragon is still one of my favorite movies, and it's got one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard.

At the risk of sounding overdramatic, I have to say the songs are very inspiring. Especially "Glow," "Inside You," and of course, "Last Dragon" itself. And "Sukiyaki Hot Sake Sue" was just good for a laugh, I wish it had been included also, as another reviewer mentioned. I often catch myself singing these songs, but I would like to be able to just listen to them whenever. I think we could use more songs like this these days; too much of today's music is just downright depressing and takes itself way too seriously. The same goes for movies.

At any rate, I'd recommend this soundtrack to anyone. If you're already a fan of the movie, I don't even need to recommend it, you're probably already clicking the order button. If you aren't, what are you waiting for? (But hey, don't order them all out, I haven't gotten my copy yet.)