Shades of Rhythm was a British based electronic dance music group active from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. The group was formed in Peterborough in 1988. They are best known for being a part of the early '90s rave scene.
Shades of Rhythm were signed to ZTT Records. Their debut single release was "Homicide"/"Exorcist" in January 1991. This was followed in April by "Sweet Sensation" (which sampled Patti Labelle's "Something Special (Is Gonna Happen Tonight)" from her 1986 album Winner in You), and then "The Sound of Eden" which was a #35 UK Singles Chart hit in August that same year. 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 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.