Search - Ace :: Best of

Paul Carrack & Companies Best From 1975' to 1977!

highway_star | Hallandale, Florida United States | 03/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ace had their first hit in 1975 with "How Long" which could be heard on regular rotation on rock stations throughout the United States. Headed by the talented singer/keyboardist Paul Carrack, who later became a member of the new wave group Squeeze and later Mike And The Mechanics, they were one of England's hottest mid-70's exports. "The Best Of Ace" is an excellent collection of the band's songs from 1975 to 1977, and if you thought "How Long" was good, then wait till you hear such songs as "Sniffin' About", "Rock & Roll Runaway", "Why", "Time Ain't Long", "Crazy World" and "I'm A Man" all of which are excellent crafted rockers with smooth vocals and harmonizing. Ace's musical influences includes a touch of Detroit Motown, Memphis soul and country rock, all of which can be heard in their songs. If you like classic seventies rock then you'll enjoy this superb collection. Recommended!"

Super blue-eyed soul from 1970s one-hit wonders

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 11/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before Ace lead-singer Paul Carrack reintroduced himself to the American public as Jools Holland's replacement in Squeeze (most notably with his lead vocal on the track "Tempted") he fronted the British R&B band, Ace. Their one chart success, 1973's "How Long," was a superb slice of blue-eyed soul, closely anticipating the sound Hall & Oates would take up the charts a few years later.In contrast to their American counterparts, however, Ace was highly influenced by the UK pub-rock scene from which they sprang. Not only had the members come from different pub-rock bands, but they recorded their debut album (the entirety of which comprises the first ten tracks of this compilation) at Rockfield Studios in Wales, home turf of Dave Edmunds. The band's arrangements are on the smooth end of the pub-rock scale, sticking more closely to the soul sounds of Memphis and Motown than the country-rock-folk sounds of Brinsley Schwarz.In addition to the smooth soul, Ace could also inject an element of funk, such as the rolling Neville Brothers styled rhythms of "Rock & Roll Runaway" and "Satellite." Unfortunately, nothing besides "How Long" could make an impression on the charts, and their excellent debut album faded away quickly from memory (despite having charted to #11). The two follow-up LPs, each represented here by a trio of songs, had similarly fine moments, but no popular success. The swampy country guitar of Paul Carrack's "I'm a Man" deserved a lot better than a quick stop in the second-100 of the charts.Carrack would go on to larger commercial fortunes (writing for and playing with Roxy Music, Squeeze, Nick Lowe, Carlene Carter, Mike & The Mechanics and many others), but this original expression of his soulful voice is well worth hearing. Those who only know the hit will be very pleasantly surprised by the album catalog that backs it up."

Ace

hyperbolium | 10/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ace was one of the few pub-rock groups to enjoy success on the pop charts, largely due to the warm, soulful vocals of Paul Carrack. Carrack's voice certainly had crossover appeal - as he would later prove with his own solo records, as well as his work with Squeeze and Mike & The Mechanics. The band was also less devoted to the three-chord boogie and country-rock that marked most pub-rock bands, favoring soulful R&B. After developing a dedicated following on the pub-rock circuit, Ace signed with Anchor Records, and recorded the smash U.K./U.S. hit. "How Long." After Carrack left the group in 1979 he sang with Roxy Music. Later he launched a solo career, which he balanced with playing with artists like Squeeze, Nick Lowe and Mike & The Mechanics."