Ace Spectrum was an American R&B, soul and disco musical group that was popular in the mid-1970s.
History Based in New York City, the group consisted of Rudy Gay Sr., Elliot Isaac, Henry "Easy" Zant, Aubrey "Troy" Johnson, and, on their final album, Frederick G. Duff and Lawrence Coley. Zant, also known as Edward "Easy" Zant, was not only a member but he also managed the group. Gay, Isaac, Zant and Johnson began collaboration as a group in 1966. "Don't Send Nobody Else", written by Ashford & Simpson, was their biggest single. From their Tony Silvester-produced debut album, it peaked at number 57 on Billboard's Hot 100 while finding its way to the top 20 on the R&B Singles chart. Their single "Keep Holdin' On" was released as a 12-inch single, and heavily promoted by their record label at disco clubs. 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 Top LPs & Tape chart (#138),The Billboard Albums, 6th ed. Joel Whitburn. 2006. Record Research Inc. p. 20. as well as on R&B Albums (#35). Patrick Adams produced and arranged the group's 1976 recordings, but further success eluded them.
Style and influence Ace Spectrum never developed into a huge hitmaker, although Allmusic considers it a "decent soul ensemble." Their recordings have generated considerable interest among Northern Soul collectors. The 1975 release "Keep Holding On" was one of the first 12-inch singles. 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." Rudy Gay Sr., a member of Iota Phi Theta fraternity, later went on to both father the famous basketball player and become music director for The Stylistics.
Discography
Singles
+ List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing other relevant details Single Year Label Chart positions Album US Pop USR&B US DanceBillboard Dance/club top songs, chart. 1976. "Don't Send Nobody Else" b/w "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" 1974 Atlantic 3012 57 20 — Inner Spectrum "Trust Me" b/w "I Just Want to Spend the Night With You" 1975 Atlantic 3281 — — — Low Rent Rendezvous "Keep Holding On" b/w "Without You" Atlantic 3296 — — — "Live and Learn" b/w "Just Like in the Movies" 1976 Atlantic 3353 — — 35 Just Like in the Movies
Studio albums + List of studio albums, showing all relevant details Title Album detailsPeak chart positions US Pop US R&BInner Spectrum Released: 1974 Label: Atlantic Formats: LP, vinyl, CD Catalogue number: SD 729920928Low Rent Rendezvous Released: 1975 Label: Atlantic Formats: LP, vinyl, CD Catalogue number: SD 1814313835 Just Like in the Movies Released: 1976 Label: Atlantic Formats: LP, vinyl, CD Catalogue number: SD 18185——
References