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.
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Shades of Rhythm were signed to ZTT Records. 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.[1] Their debut album Shades (ZTT 11, later reissued as The Album) sold over 50,000 copies, and they remixed "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.[2]
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.[1]
Shades of Rhythm also regularly appeared on some of the dance compilation albums 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)".