Ace Spectrum
Ace Spectrum | |
---|---|
Origin | New York City |
Genres | soul, R&B, disco |
Years active | 1966-1976 |
Labels | Atlantic |
Past members | Rudy Gay, Elliot Isaac, Aubrey Johnson, Henry Zant |
Ace Spectrum was an R&B/soul/disco musical group most popular in the mid 1970s.
History
Based in New York City[1] the group consisted of Rudy Gay, Elliot Isaac, Aubrey "Troy" Johnson, Frederick G. Duff, and Henry "Red" Zant[2] (also known as Edward "Easy" Zant) who led the group and provided management.[3] These four began collaboration as a group in 1966.[3] Don't Send Nobody Else, written by Ashford & Simpson,[3] was their biggest single. From their Tony Sylvester-produced[4] debut album, it peaked at number 57 on Billboard's Hot 100[5] while finding its way to the top 20 on the R&B Singles chart. The b-side to their single Without You was released as a 12-inch single, and heavily promoted by their record label at disco clubs.[6] Another single Live And Learn with lead vocals by Frederick, reached position 35 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart. Their first two albums saw chart action. Inner Spectrum attained position 28 on the R&B Albums chart, and Low Rent Rendezvous saw action on the Billboard 200 (#138),[7] as well as on R&B Albums (#35).[8] Patrick Adams produced and arranged the group's 1976 recordings, but consequential success eluded them.[9][10]
Style and influence
Ace Spectrum never developed into a huge hitmaker, although Allmusic considers it a "decent soul ensemble."[2] Their recordings have generated considerable interest among Northern Soul collectors.[11] The 1975 release "Keep Holding On" was one of the very first 12-inch singles.[12] Musically, the group employed a mix of up-tempo and down-tempo songs. The group eschewed the "high-voice technique" that was common for the era. Backing strings were important to the group's sound. Billboard commented positively about group, stating it deserved "as much exposure as possible."[13]
Discography
Singles
Year | Title | b-side | Label/Catalog # | Billboard Hot 100 | R&B Singles | Dance Music/Club Play Singles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1974 | Don't Send Nobody Else | Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight | Atlantic 3012[14] | 57 | 20 | - |
1975 | Trust Me | I Just Want to Spend the Night With You | Atlantic 3281[14] | - | - | - |
1975 | Without You | Keep Holding On | Atlantic 3296[14] | - | - | - |
1976 | Live and Learn | Just Like in the Movies | Atlantic 3353[14] | - | - | 35 |
Albums
Year | Title | Label/Catalog # | Billboard Albums | R&B Albums |
---|---|---|---|---|
1974 | Inner Spectrum | Atlantic SD 7299[14] | - | 28 |
1975 | Low Rent Rendezvous | Atlantic SD 18143[14] | 138 | 35 |
1976 | Just Like In The Movies | Atlantic SD 18185[14] | - | - |
References
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2000). Top Pop Singles 1955-1999. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. p. 5. ISBN 0-89820-139-X.
- 1 2 Wynn, Ron. "Ace Spectrum Artist Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- 1 2 3 "New on the Charts". Billboard. October 12, 1974. p. 38. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ↑ "New on the Charts". Billboard. January 11, 1975. p. 16. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. p. 5. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ↑ "'Hijack' Inspires Strong Atlantic Disco Promotion". Billboard. September 6, 1975. pp. 4, 22. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ↑ The Billboard Albums, 6th ed. Joel Whitburn. 2006. Record Research Inc. p. 20. ISBN 0-89820-166-7
- ↑ "Ace Spectrum Artist Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- ↑ "New York Beat". Jet. March 11, 1976. p. 56. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ↑ Black Music & Jazz Review. IPC Specialist & Professional Press. 1 (10): 27. 1979.
- ↑ Miller, Chuck (2011). Warman's American Records. Krause Publications. ISBN 9781440228216. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ↑ Shapiro, Peter (2006). Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco. Macmillan. ISBN 9780865479524. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Top Album Picks - Soul". Billboard. April 20, 1974. p. 52. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Popoff, Martin (2010). Goldmine Standard Catalog of American Records 1948-1991. Krause Publications. ISBN 9781440216213.