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

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2000). Top Pop Singles 1955-1999. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. p. 5. ISBN 0-89820-139-X.
  2. 1 2 Wynn, Ron. "Ace Spectrum Artist Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "New on the Charts". Billboard. October 12, 1974. p. 38. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  4. ↑ "New on the Charts". Billboard. January 11, 1975. p. 16. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  5. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. p. 5. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  6. ↑ "'Hijack' Inspires Strong Atlantic Disco Promotion". Billboard. September 6, 1975. pp. 4, 22. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  7. ↑ The Billboard Albums, 6th ed. Joel Whitburn. 2006. Record Research Inc. p. 20. ISBN 0-89820-166-7
  8. ↑ "Ace Spectrum Artist Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "New York Beat". Jet. March 11, 1976. p. 56. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  10. ↑ Black Music & Jazz Review. IPC Specialist & Professional Press. 1 (10): 27. 1979.
  11. ↑ Miller, Chuck (2011). Warman's American Records. Krause Publications. ISBN 9781440228216. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  12. ↑ Shapiro, Peter (2006). Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco. Macmillan. ISBN 9780865479524. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Top Album Picks - Soul". Billboard. April 20, 1974. p. 52. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Popoff, Martin (2010). Goldmine Standard Catalog of American Records 1948-1991. Krause Publications. ISBN 9781440216213.
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