The inclusion of Jordan (& Reid) gives SHADES a "Chicago Flavor" similar to what you find on SO IN LOVE and ANDREW!!! (the Hill album closest in vibe to SHADES, imo). Every so often, Hill offers up these warm, lyrical, "song-y" albums that go against the grain of the general public's perception of his music (SPIRAL was another one). If the adjectives "warm", "lyrical", and "inviting" are applicable to SHADES in a way that they aren't to much of his other output, and in terms of how the "mainstream jazz audience" might percieve the music I think they are, then so be it.
If Hill's intent was to make that kind of album, then Jordan was an inspired choice who delivers marvellously. He was no stranger to "outside-inside" music (see his own IN THE WORLD or Richard Davis' NOW'S THE TIME), and I think he fits in perfectly with the overall GROUP vibe projected here. Whether or not that vibe meets the listener's expectations or not is a matter entirely of personal taste, but I think the group gels quite nicely (maybe SHADES is for some what GRASS ROOTS is for me... ).
No matter, the closing ballad, "La Verne", is a ridiculously beautiful, warm, and touching piece that for my money is one of the highlights of both Hill's AND Jordan's recorded output. "Recquired Listening", that's what that one ought to be.