Shadow
Shadow was a short-lived funk and soul group active from 1979 to 1981, known for their secretive image and ties to the Ohio Players. They released their debut album Love Lite in 1979 on Elektra Records.
The group primarily consisted of former Ohio Players musicians: James "Diamond" Williams on drums, William "Billy" Beck on keyboards, and Clarence "Chet" Willis on guitar, vocals, and bass. They often performed shrouded in shadows to maintain mystery, though their identities appeared in album credits.
Additional contributors on Love Lite included Daniel Lazarus (keyboards), Kenneth Williams (drums and percussion), and horn players like Robert Bryant, Garnett Brown, Ernie Fields Jr., Delbert Taylor, Azar Lawrence (sax), and Fred Wesley (trombone).
Love Lite (Elektra 6E-233) featured disco-funk tracks like the title song co-written by Willis, Beck, and Williams, plus "Get It." It was produced by Beck, Willis, Kenneth Williams, and Don Mizell. Shadow followed with Shadow (1980) and Shadows in the Streets (1981), both produced by Leon Ware, but none charted highly.
Love Lite
A2 No Better Love 5:31
A3 Enjoy Ya 4:36
B1 Love Lite 5:09
B2 Say It Again 3:56
B3 Get It 9:00
Written-By – Willie Beck, Clarence Willis, James Williams
Label: Elektra – 6E-233
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Shadow’s 1979 album Love Lite, released on Elektra Records, is a well-regarded modern soul/funk gem featuring a tight, mid-tempo groove typical of late-70s R&B. The trio delivers a warmer, polished sound compared to pure post-disco, highlighted by tracks like "No Better Love," "Say It Again," and the title track.
Shadow was a trio associated with Leon Ware, bringing a polished soul sensibility to the Elektra label during that era. The album blends funk, soul, and disco, focusing on a "warmer" production style that moves away from heavy disco.
Standout Tracks: Key tracks mentioned for their quality include "No Better Love" and "Say It Again," which are noted for their "cold slow jam" feel, along with "Get It," "Love Lite," and "I Need Love".
The record is characterized by a "nice focus" to the songs, often appearing tighter than other contemporary work. The album is highly regarded by soul and disco enthusiasts for its sophisticated, mid-tempo groove that avoids the over-the-top tropes of late-70s club music.
On community platforms like Discogs, various pressings of the album maintain high user ratings, typically ranging between 4.0 and 4.8 out of 5 stars. The album is praised for its consistent, Groove-oriented, and soulful vibe, making it a solid, if sometimes overlooked, entry in late 1970s soul music.