Shadow
Years active1979–1981
LabelsElektra
Past membersJames "Diamond" Williams
William "Billy" Beck
Clarence "Chet" Willis

Shadow was a music group in the funk-soul genre that was a spin-off from the Ohio Players. They released three albums on the Elektra label. They were Love Lite in 1979, Shadow in 1980, and Shadows in the Street in 1981. They also released a number of singles over the period from 1979 to 1981. There seems to be a degree of mystery as to who the actual members of the group were.

Background

The group was made up by three former members of the Ohio Players. They appeared to deliberately disguise their identity. On one of their performances in 1980, they were playing in the shadows which added to their somewhat secretive image portrayal.[1] They were probably made up of James "Diamond" Williams on drums, William "Billy" Beck on keyboards, and guitarist Chet Willis. Those were the main members. Other musicians that played on the recordings were, Daniel Zazurus on keyboards, Kenneth Williams on drums. Others were Robert Bryant, Garnett Brown, Ernie Fields, Delbert Taylor, Azar Lawrence, and Fred Wesley.[2] In spite of the mystery surrounding the make up of the group,[1][2] two members of the group were pictured in an October, 1981 issue of Billboard chatting in a studio with John Deacon, bassist for Queen and sound engineer Art Stewart.[3]

Album releases

In 1979, they released the album Love Lite on Electra 6E-233. It was produced by Kenneth Williams, Willie Beck, Clarence Willis and Don Mizell.[4] The credited musicians on the album were Daniel Lazarus on keyboards, Kenneth Williams on drums and percussion, Clarence Willis on vocals, guitars and bass. On horns were Robert Bryant Snr, Garnett Brown, Ernie Fields Jnr, Delbert Taylor, Azar Lawrence and Fred Wesley. The string section was made up of Bill Henderson and his Strings, Don Palmer, Janise Gower, Jerome Webster, Sid Page and Pam Gates.[5] Willie Beck, Clarence Willis, and James Williams were the credited composers.

Their second album Shadow was released in 1980 on Elektra 6E-293. It featured "I Can't Keep Holding Back (My Love)" which was written by Linda Clay and "Beyond the Finish Line". The single off the album, "Mystery Dancer" was released in July 1980.[6]

Their third album Shadows in the Street was released in 1981 on Elektra 6E-345. Most of the lead vocals were sung by Willis. The album included "Born to Hustle", "Best Lady" and Piece of Cake", and "Clouds".[7][8] The single from the album was "Party in the Streets".[9] The album was produced by Leon Ware and the engineer was Art Stewart.[3]

Discography

Albums

Title Label and cat Year Format Notes
Love Lite Elektra 6E-233 1979 LP Produced by Don Mizell, Williams, Beck, Willis, Inc.
Shadow Elektra 6E-293 1980 LP Produced by Leon Ware
Shadows in the Streets Elektra – 6E-345 1981 LP Produced by Leon Ware

Singles

Year Song US R&B
[10][11]
1979 "I Need Love" 77
1980 "No Better Love" 72
"Mystery Dancer" 68
"Hot City" 75
1981 "Clouds" —
"Born to Hustle" —
"Sinister Way" —
"Party in the Streets" —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Musicians (listed alphabetically)

  • William "Billy" Beck - keyboards
  • Garnett Brown
  • Robert Bryant
  • Ernie Fields
  • Azar Lawrence
  • Delbert Taylor
  • Fred Wesley
  • James "Diamond" Williams - drums
  • Kenneth Williams - drums
  • Clarence "Chet" Willis - guitar
  • Daniel Zazurus aka Lazarus / Zarus etc. - keyboards

References

  1. 1 2 "Shadow Page". soulwalking.co.uk.
  2. 1 2 Andrew Hamilton. "Shadow - Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. 1 2 "General News". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 41. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. October 17, 1981. p. 66. ISSN 0006-2510.
  4. ↑ "Billboard's Top Album Picks". Billboard. Vol. 91, no. 47. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 24, 1979. p. 66. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. ↑ Love Lite (promo). Blue Soul Records. 1979.
  6. ↑ Cooper, B. Lee (1986). A Resource Guide to Themes in Contemporary American Song Lyrics, 1950-1985 (illustrated ed.). Indiana University: Greenwood Press. p. 303. ISBN 9780313245169.
  7. ↑ "Billboard's Recommended LPs". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 36. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 12, 1981. p. 79. ISSN 0006-2510.
  8. ↑ "Billboard's Top Single Picks". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 43. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. October 31, 1981. p. 107. ISSN 0006-2510.
  9. ↑ "Billboard's Top Single Picks". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 5. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. February 6, 1982. p. 74. ISSN 0006-2510.
  10. ↑ "Shadow - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Shadow Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
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