Bob Dylan plays the harmonica at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans April 28, 2006. [Agencies]

Bob Dylan and David Bowie are among the artists featured on a soundtrack album for NBC's superhero drama "Heroes."

Bowie -- shock! -- contributed "Heroes," while Dylan is represented by "Man in the Long Black Coat."

The March 18 release also includes exclusive new singles from the likes of Wilco ("Glad It's Over"), Panic! at the Disco ("Nine in the Afternoon"), Imogen Heap ("Not Now But Soon") and Brighton Port Authority featuring Iggy Pop ("He's Frank").

The soundtrack, being released through NBC Records, will be available in CD format at Best Buy stores and digitally at Zune and other digital service providers.

Dylan's decision to license a tune from his 1989 album "Oh Mercy" was a lucky break. "Heroes" executive producer Allan Arkush said Dylan's representatives are generally "very choosy" about licensing rights to his songs. But he and "Heroes" creator Tim Kring had previously worked with the Dylan camp on their previous series, "Crossing Jordan."

In addition, Arkush has crafted five music video montage podcasts -- featuring "Heroes" footage set to select tracks from the album -- that will be exclusively available for free download at Zune and for streaming at MSN. Nada Surf's "Weightless" will be the first available, starting February 29.

"Heroes," which wrapped its second "volume" in December, returns for a third season in the fall.

(China Daily/Agencies February 29, 2008)