Shades of Rhythm (band)
Encyclopedia
Shades of Rhythm was a British
based electronic dance music
group
in the late 1980s and early 1990s, formed in Peterborough
in 1988. They are best known for being a part of the rave
music scene.
. Their debut single
release was "Homicide" / "Exorcist" (ZANG 13) in January 1991. This was followed in April by "Sweet Sensation", and that August with the #35 UK Singles Chart
hit
"The Sound of Eden". The next release was "Extacy" which peaked at #16 in December 1991. Their debut album Shades (ZTT 11, later reissued as The Album) sold over 50,000 copies, and they remix
ed "Set You Free
" by N-Trance
. All these recordings
were supported by live appearances at raves, such as Technodrome and Fantazia.
In March 1991, the British
music magazine, NME
, reported that Shades of Rhythm were appearing at the 'Great Indie Festival - A Midsummer's Day Dream' at Milton Keynes Bowl in June that year. Also on the bill were 808 State
, Gary Clail
, New Fast Automatic Daffodils
, The Shamen
, Paris Angels
plus Flowered Up
.
Shades of Rhythm released "Sweet Revival (Keep It Comin')" in February 1993, followed by "Getting Away". Their time with the record label
was rounded off with a #37 UK chart placing for the re-issue of "The Sound of Eden", which featured X-Press 2
, Chris Coco, Joey Negro
and Richie Hawtin
. Their final chart outing was in June 1997, when "Psycho Base" spent one week at #57 on Coalition Records.
Shades of Rhythm also regularly appeared on some of the dance compilation album
s of the day, such as Deep Heat, Total Science, Cream Live, Hard Fax, Essential Hardcore and ZTT's own Zance.
"The Sound of Eden" has also been covered
by two different British dance acts. Casino in 1997 and Another Chance in 2007 - the latter titled "Everytime I See Her (Sound Of Eden)".
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
based electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
group
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
in the late 1980s and early 1990s, formed in Peterborough
Peterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
in 1988. They are best known for being a part of the rave
Rave
Rave, rave dance, and rave party are parties that originated mostly from acid house parties, which featured fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties people dance and socialize to dance music played by disc jockeys and occasionally live performers...
music scene.
Career
Shades of Rhythm were signed to ZTT RecordsZTT Records
ZTT Records is a record label founded in 1983 by NME journalist Paul Morley, record producer Trevor Horn, and businesswoman Jill Sinclair. The label's name was also printed as "Zang Tumb Tuum" and "Zang Tuum Tumb" on various releases....
. Their debut single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
release was "Homicide" / "Exorcist" (ZANG 13) in January 1991. This was followed in April by "Sweet Sensation", and that August with the #35 UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
hit
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
"The Sound of Eden". The next release was "Extacy" which peaked at #16 in December 1991. Their debut album Shades (ZTT 11, later reissued as The Album) sold over 50,000 copies, and they remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed "Set You Free
Set You Free (N-Trance song)
"Set You Free" is a song written and recorded by the dance group N-Trance, featuring vocals from Kelly Llorenna. It was first released as a white label record in 1992, and became a chart hit in 1995...
" by N-Trance
N-Trance
N-Trance are a British electronic music group, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, who were formed by Kevin O'Toole and Dale Longworth, in 1990. The group has sold over 5 million records worldwide and some of their hit singles include "Set You Free", "Forever", as well as covers of the popular 1970s...
. All these recordings
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
were supported by live appearances at raves, such as Technodrome and Fantazia.
In March 1991, the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
music magazine, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
, reported that Shades of Rhythm were appearing at the 'Great Indie Festival - A Midsummer's Day Dream' at Milton Keynes Bowl in June that year. Also on the bill were 808 State
808 State
808 State are a British electronic music outfit, formed in 1987 in Manchester, taking their name from the Roland TR-808 drum machine and their common state of mind...
, Gary Clail
Gary Clail
Gary Clail is an English singer and record producer. He was part of On-U Sound Records and led Gary Clail's Tackhead Sound System.-Biography:...
, New Fast Automatic Daffodils
New Fast Automatic Daffodils
New Fast Automatic Daffodils were an alternative rock group from Manchester, England, active between 1988 and 1995.-History:The band was formed in 1988 by former members of the punk rock group Pariah...
, The Shamen
The Shamen
The Shamen were an experimental electronic music band, from 1985–1999, initially formed in Aberdeen, Scotland, as a psychedelic-influenced indie rock act. The founding members are Colin Angus , Derek McKenzie and Keith McKenzie...
, Paris Angels
Paris Angels
Paris Angels were a seven piece band, hailing from Guide Bridge, Ashton-under-Lyne, England, associated with the Madchester scene of 1989 -1991. Their music fused indie guitars with electronic dance music...
plus Flowered Up
Flowered Up
-Career:The band was formed in mid-1989 by singer Liam Maher, along with his younger brother Joe . After a few changes in personnel, the settled line-up included Tim Dorney , Andy Jackson , and John Tuvey , with dancer Barry Mooncult adding to their live shows...
.
Shades of Rhythm released "Sweet Revival (Keep It Comin')" in February 1993, followed by "Getting Away". Their time with the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
was rounded off with a #37 UK chart placing for the re-issue of "The Sound of Eden", which featured X-Press 2
X-Press 2
X-Press 2 is an English electronic and dance music duo. The members are DJ Diesel and DJ Rocky . Ashley Beedle left to pursue solo projects in 2009.-History:...
, Chris Coco, Joey Negro
Joey Negro
Dave Lee is a British DJ and house music producer, also known by the stage name Joey Negro. Lee was born on the Isle of Wight. He has released music under a variety of pseudonyms, including the name Jakatta...
and Richie Hawtin
Richie Hawtin
Richard Hawtin is an English-Canadian electronic musician and DJ who was an influential part of Detroit techno's second wave of artists in the early 1990s and a leading exponent of Minimal techno since the mid 1990s...
. Their final chart outing was in June 1997, when "Psycho Base" spent one week at #57 on Coalition Records.
Shades of Rhythm also regularly appeared on some of the dance compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
s of the day, such as Deep Heat, Total Science, Cream Live, Hard Fax, Essential Hardcore and ZTT's own Zance.
"The Sound of Eden" has also been covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by two different British dance acts. Casino in 1997 and Another Chance in 2007 - the latter titled "Everytime I See Her (Sound Of Eden)".
Music videos
- "Exorcist" (1991)
- "Extacy" (1991)
- "Sweet Sensation" (1991)
- "The Sound Of Eden" (1991)
- "Getting Away" (1993)