🎧 Artist Spotlight
Ace
Dive deep into the essential discography of Ace. Explore the defining studio albums that shaped their legendary career.
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When dropping the needle on 1970s British rock, few bands captured the blend of soulful vocals and tight pub-rock grooves quite like Ace. Fronted by the extraordinary Paul Carrack, the band crafted a sound that bridged blue-eyed soul, country-rock, and slick radio pop.
While their recording career was brief, spanning just three studio LPs between 1974 and 1977, their vinyl legacy remains highly prized by collectors seeking clean analog warmth and punchy rhythm sections. The original pressings yield wide soundstages and warm mid-bass presence that modern digital remasters struggle to recreate.
We put every studio album by Ace on our reference turntable to grade pressing qualities, dead wax etchings, dynamic range, and songcraft. Here is the definitive ranking of all Ace studio albums from absolute best to worst.
Essential Ace Albums Ranked
Ace — Five-A-Side
Label: Anchor Records • Released: 1974
Ace — Five-A-Side
Label: Anchor Records • Released: 1974
Their incredible debut sets the benchmark for mid-70s British pub-rock, anchoring smooth soul melodies with rootsy instrumental hooks. Driven by Paul Carrack’s timeless lead vocal on ‘How Long’, the album maintains a relaxed yet tight rhythm section across both sides.
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Ace — Time for Another
Label: Anchor Records • Released: 1975
Ace — Time for Another
Label: Anchor Records • Released: 1975
Building upon their hit debut, this second outing leans harder into breezy country-rock textures and twin-guitar harmonies. Tracks like ‘I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It’ highlight Carrack’s soul organ runs alongside crisp mid-bass groove interplay.
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Ace — No Strings
Label: Anchor Records • Released: 1977
Ace — No Strings
Label: Anchor Records • Released: 1977
The band’s swan song shifts toward slicker soft-rock production with polished guitar tones and subtle disco-adjacent rhythms. While less gritty than their debut, the songwriting showcases top-tier vocal arrangements and infectious radio-ready hooks.
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Vinyl Crate-Digging & Buying Guide
Tracking down vinyl copies of Ace records is an enjoyable dig for fans of 1970s soft rock and pub rock. Originals on Anchor Records in the UK and ABC/Probe in North America are surprisingly affordable, typically ranging between $10 and $25 for clean VG+ to NM copies. Pay close attention to sleeve condition, as the unlaminated card jackets used for their second and third albums frequently show edge wear and spine splits. When inspecting vinyl in bargain bins, examine the dead wax for mastering stamps from Sterling or Masterdisk to guarantee the punchiest analog sound.
Final Thoughts
Ace created a remarkably tight body of work during their brief three-album run in the 1970s. From the classic grooves of Five-A-Side to the polished melodies of No Strings, spinning these analog pressings offers a prime lesson in mid-70s groove and soul. Clean off your stylus, slip these LPs onto the platter, and enjoy one of pub rock’s finest hidden gems.
