M•a Recordings

Originally scheduled for release in 1981, the double-album I'm a Rainbow was shelved at the last minute. In the proocess, it became legendary among Donna Summer fanatics. In 1996, I'm a Rainbow was finally released as a single compact disc. Like most of Summer's recordings from the late '70s and early '80s, it was produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, who give the stylish disco a sleek, sexy sheen. The difference between I'm a Rainbow and its predecessors – and, indeed, its sequels – is the subject matter. Throughout I'm a Rainbow, Summer turns in some of her most personal, introspective lyrics and singing, which gives the album an emotional force her albums sometimes lacked. In fact, given the quality of the music, it's hard to see why this was shelved at the time because it is stronger than the majority of her official studio albums.

Lazy Lester is, without doubt, one of the great blues harpists, whose somewhat lethargic style is distinctive and unique. I'm a Lover Not a Fighter acts as something of a tribute to the Louisiana blues scene of the 1960s, and reflects the growing interest in Louisiana blues that Lester's recordings have initiated. Containing such swamp blues classics as "I Hear You Knockin" and the inimitable title track, this release sees Lester in fine form, ably backed by some of the best musicians in Louisiana. Indeed, although showing further signs of the artist's creative renaissance will appeal to devotees, this disc also acts as a perfect introduction to the artist's work, and to both groups, this disc comes highly recommended.