Rain & Shine Vinilo y CD

Review: Mixed Company were one of disco-era New York's most obscure bands, releasing just one track - the mighty "Let's Go Disco" - on a local radio station compilation in 1980 before disappearing from view. Amazingly, Rain & Shine has managed to find their master tapes, hence this first ever EP. Not only does it include "Let's Go Disco" - a lo-fi chunk of tropical disco-funk - but also fresh edits by Andrea Passenger of two previously unreleased cuts, the upbeat brilliance of "You've Got That Something" and the cheery "Guitar Breeeeze" [sic]. As if that wasn't enough to set the pulse racing, the EP also boasts two new multi-track edits of "Let's Go Disco": a smooth and dubbed-out revision by Waxist and a stripped-back, horn-heavy instrumental rearrangement from Frank Brooker.

Review: Spirit's impossible-to-find 1979 debut album "Put Your Hands Together" has long been a favourite of those dusty-fingered crate diggers who love gospel soul, funk and disco. Here Rain & Shine offer a chance to own the album's standout moment, 12 minute opener "Spirit", for a fraction of the cost of the album. It's an absolute stunner - a busy, energetic gospel-soul/gospel-disco hybrid that simply increases in intensity throughout (with no small thanks to some killer organ solos). Turn to the flip and you'll find the added bonus of Phil Asher and The Mighty Zaf's punchy re-edit, which not only re-arranges the track for maximum dancefloor impact, but also plays around with the EQs to produce a weightier low-end sound.