Heat Alert! Shadow's Sweet Sweet Dreams finally gets a proper reissue courtesy of Analog Africa, and we couldn't be more stoked. Originally released in 1984, the album was initially a commercial failure, but this would prove that it was just way ahead of its time. On Sweet Sweet Dreams, the enigmatic artist known as Shadow fused soca and calypso rhythms with heavy synth disco and boogie, ultimately creating a sound that had never been heard coming out of his native Trinidad & Tobago. This sound would only prove to be recognized decades later as Shadow's "proto-electronic cocktail" would become one of the most sought-after Caribbean disco records, earning "holy grail" status, and a hefty price tag for original pressings. Listen to the potent vibes on "Let's Get It Together" or the dance floor burning "D'Hardest" that truly lives up to its name as a hard grooving soca-boogie scorcher. This official reissue comes on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl and comes complete with foldout poster with extensive liner notes and interviews with Shadow, plus rare photos from the artist's personal collection. Recommended.  

• limited edition reissue
• 180 gram vinyl pressing
• foldout poster w/ liner notes on back
• features exclusive photos from Shadow's personal collection
• music label: Analog Africa 2016

reviewed by Aloo Pye 02/2017