Digitally Remastered and Expanded into a Deluxe Edition 2-disc collection, Rising is a rock classic, no matter what format it takes on. Originally released in 1976, and produced by Deep Purple's engineer and producer, Martin Birch, Rising was a much stronger album to its predecessor.

Containing the Rainbow classic, and universally-beloved `Stargazer' and further solid tracks such as, `A Light In The Black' and the short n' catchy `Do You Close Your Eyes,' Rising went on to achieve formidable chart success reaching #48 in the U.S. and an impressive #6 in the U.K.

With bandleader Ritchie Blackmore retaining only Ronnie James Dio from the previous album, he recruited drummer Cozy Powell, bassist Jimmy Bain and keyboard player Tony Carey to complete the new line-up. With its artwork by Marvel comics fantasy artist, Ken Kelly, Rising (also known as Rainbow Rising) was the album that saw Rainbow equaling anything that Blackmore's previous band, Deep Purple had ever produced.

Disc 1 kicks off in fine style with the rampaging 'Tarot Woman (New York Mix)' (complete with Carey's opening solo), before 'Run With The Wolf (New York Mix),' 'Starstruck (New York Mix),' and 'Do You Close Your Eyes (New York Mix)' is as fun, and as short as ever too!

Indeed, this was the album that saw Rainbow equaling anything that Blackmore's previous band, Deep Purple had ever produced. Next is the album showpiece, the near 9 minute piece' Stargazer (New York Mix),' before both 'A Light In The Black (New York Mix)' and 'Tarot Woman (Los Angeles Mix).'

'Run With The Wolf (Los Angeles Mix)' is back again for another run at our ears, before 'Starstruck (Los Angeles Mix)' and 'Do You Close Your Eyes (Los Angeles Mix)' both themselves make a secondary appearance. 'Stargazer (Los Angeles Mix)' is (still) a near 9 minute wondrous creation, before a (still) frantic 'A Light In The Black (Los Angeles Mix)' (and it's massive instrumental mid-song break) brings the first disc to a close.

Disc 2 kicks off with 'Tarot Woman (Rough Mix),' a very synth-fused intro to a song if ever there was! The growl of 'Run With The Wolf (Rough Mix)' is next, before the always-great-to-hear 'Starstruck (Rough Mix)' barrels forth. The always-bouncy 'Do You Close Your Eyes (Rough Mix)' is next, before the a near 10 minute version of 'Stargazer (Rough Mix)' is upon us.

The growing storm of 'A Light In The Black (Rough Mix)' is brought forth (again) next, before a horrible-sounding version of 'Stargazer (Pirate Sound Tour Rehearsal)' finally brings the whole 2-disc event to a close.

And so, if you hadn't been following along at home, what we have here is two different mixes of the same album: New York and Los Angeles. But, in truth, neither one seems to get it right - although the bass is definitely more audible on the LA mixes. And anyway, between the two versions, the tracks differ only a few seconds in length, so I couldn't hear any real musical (save for that aforementioned bass) differences when playing each mix through sequentially! This new set is truly only for diehard Rainbow fanatics only!