Search - Ace Spectrum :: INNER SPECTRUM (REMASTERED & EXPANDED)

Philly Comes To Atlantic & A Sweet Result It Is Too!

Mark Barry at Reckless Records, Lon | UK | 02/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Released in June 1974 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7299, "Inner Spectrum" is actually a very Gamble & Huff Philly sounding record. Quite apart from being something of a lost classic, its smooth string-drenched soul has always been hard to find on vinyl (particularly in the UK) and pricey too, so it's re-issue on this October 2007 Remaster CD is very welcome to soul fans indeed.



ACE SPECTRUM consisted of RUDY GAY, AUBREY JOHNSON, ELLIOT ISAAC and ED ZANT with Gay, Zant and Johnson being the principal songs writers. They were a four-piece male vocal soul group similar to so many bands of the time - the MANHATTANS and the STYLISTICS jump to mind.



Tracks 1 to 8 make up the original vinyl album represented here in beautiful sounding REMASTERED form, tweaked as ever to perfection by Rhino's in-house tape master BILL INGLOT. The last three are bonuses. Track 9 is the Mono Single Version of the hugely popular 1974 single hit "Don't Send Nobody Else" on Atco 3012 penned by the dynamic songwriting duo of NICHOLAS ASHFORD and VALERIE SIMPSON. Track 10 is an Alternate Take of "Don't Send Nobody Else" in Stereo (similar to the album cut) while the CD finishes with "Runnin' Out Baby", a completely new song by Johnson and Zant found in the vaults and aired for the first time anywhere for this issue.



The albums overall feel is that of the O'JAYS meets the CHI-LITES meets the SPINNERS meets HAROLD MELVIN and THE BLUENOTES - soft sensual soul with tasty brass fills puncturing the string arrangements complimenting the ever cascading falsetto vocals. Each band member was able to hold their own as a lead vocalist, yet they made an equally impressive sound as a foursome. This is particularly in evidence in the album's big ballad finisher "I Don't Want To Play Around" penned by Ed Zant and Aubrey Johnson. It saunters along with vocal pyrotechnics for about 4 of its lush 7 minutes when it suddenly goes into a Salsa finish - funky as James Brown's DNA - and so Philly that its just not true! Lovers of all forms of Seventies Soul will adore it!



There are a number covers on the album. Track 2 is first up. James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" is similar to "Love The One You're With" by Stephen Stills, a superb rock tune that lends itself to soul interpretation - and will always come out a winner because the song itself is so strong. It was The Isley Brothers who first realized the soul feel to it, when they covered it for their 1973 album "3 + 3". The original is on James Taylor's 1972 Warner Brothers album "One Man Dog". The Ace Spectrum version is even slower than The Isleys take and ooh so sweet - one of the genuine gems on this re-release. Mining that same Isleys album, "If You Were There" is a cover from it and a lovely version too.



I would admit that some may find the sound of these tracks just `too' syrupy for their liking, but if you're willing to take a chance - it's a purchase you will enjoy so much.



They released another album "Low Rent Rendezvous" in 1975 again on Atlantic (SD 18143) but that album isn't in this series - maybe next time.



To sum up - a rare Soft Soul album most people thought they would never actually see on a proper domestically released CD - and yet another superb job done by Rhino. Recommended.



PS: This release is part of Rhino's CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED Series. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul LPs from the Warner/Atlantic vaults. Some other titles in the series are:



1. Blue Magic - "Blue Magic"(see separate Review)

2. Donny Hathaway - "Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T." (see separate Review)

3. Leroy Hutson - "Paradise" (see separate Review)

4. Ronn Matlock - "Love City" (see separate Review)

5. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

6. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

7. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line" (see separate Review)

8. Prince Philip Mitchell - "Make It Good"

9. The Voices Of East Harlem [featuring Donny Hathaway] - "Right On Be Free" (see separate Review)"

Soul

Dennis W. Brady | Chicago, Il USA | 06/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been waiting 4 this album to be on CD! This is real soul music!"