Tongue tied (Ace) (LP 250)

Ace Time For Another (Vinyl - Anchor, 1975) ***

Genre:  English pop/rock

Places I remember:  Real Groovy Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: No Future In Your Eyes (great harmonies - they should do that more often!)




Gear costume:  I think It's Gonna Last, Message To You

Active compensatory factors: Second album for Ace - that band Paul Carrick was in before Mike + The Mechanics, remember.

It's a continuation of the bright pop sounds found on their debut album Five-A-Side.

While pleasant, my main problem by side two's end is the succession of mid paced songs. A couple of rockers wouldn't have gone amiss.

Where do they all belong? They made a third album which I don't own, so your best best is to next check out the stellar Paul Carrick work for Mike Rutherford's band. You won't be disappointed!

The real feeling (Ace) (LP 54)

Ace Five-a-side (Vinyl - Anchor Records, 1974) ****

Genre: English pop/rock

Places I remember: Slow Boat Records in Wellington

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: How Long is the brilliant single.




Gear costume: 24 Hours is a fine example of the great Ace sound - terrific beat thanks to the drums/bass combo, great organ/guitar licks, terrific Paul Carrack vocals, excellent horns.

Active compensatory factors: Ace were a great but underrated Beatles influenced band from the seventies. Most notably, they are known for Paul Carrack and his pop hit How Long (no question mark).

But the band (and this, their debut album) are way more than just that song. They played a fine funky brand of pop.

There isn't a dud track among the ten songs (five a side - ha!).

Where do they all belong? Paul eventually moved onto Mike + The Mechanics - you'll meet them along this journey!