Label: Ace

Universal International's The Ultimate Collection lives up to its name with a sprawling three-disc (for some people, a single-disc Ace of Base compilation just doesn't cut it) overview of the alternately beloved and reviled Swedish dance-pop outfit's career. For the most part, UC covers all of the same ground as 2000's Greatest Hits, 2003's Singles of the 90s, and Arista's Platinum & Gold Collection, balancing radio behemoths like "Don't Turn Around," "The Sign," and "All That She Wants" with smaller hits such as "Wheel of Fortune" and Bananarama's "Cruel Summer." What distinguishes The Ultimate Collection from previous comps is the inclusion of some deeper album cuts and an entire disc of remixes, in case "The Sign" didn't get stuck in your head the first time around. ~ James Christopher Monger

Various Artists - The Ace Story, Volume 2 (2010) {Ace Records CDCHD 1281 rec 1956-1964}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 249 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 135 Mb
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© 1956-64, 2010 Ace Records | CDCHD 1281
Rhythm & Blues / Rock & Roll / Early R&B / Soul / Funk / New Orleans R&B / Blues

To clear up a couple possible points of confusion about this 2010 release: although it came out on the British Ace label, it's actually a compilation of material that came out on the American Ace label between the mid-'50s and mid-'60s (with the exception of a couple cuts that didn't appear until the early '70s). Also, it's not identical to the 12-track LP titled The Ace Story, Vol. 2 that came out in the '70s. This edition adds 12 bonus tracks, making it a more comprehensive sampler of the label's rock and R&B.

Ace Frehley is a 1978 solo album from Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist and vocalist of American hard rock band Kiss. It was one of four solo albums released by the members of Kiss on September 18, 1978. The album featured Anton Fig on drums…

Various Artists - The Ace Story, Volume 3 (2011) {Ace Records CDCHD1297 rec 1956-1965}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 232 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 130 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 21 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1956-65, 2011 Ace Records | CDCHD 1297
Rhythm & Blues / Rock & Roll / Early R&B / Soul / Funk / New Orleans R&B

In revisiting the strength and depth of Johnny Vincent’s original Ace imprint, and its subsidiaries Rex and Vin, what’s immediately obvious is the quality of the often freewheeling studio musicians who recorded for the label. With rampant saxes and rolling pianos, more than likely anchored by Earl Palmer’s tight drumming, the Ace ensembles hit the button every time with their rocky, earthy tracks.

Various Artists - The Ace Story, Volume 1 (2010) {Ace Records CDCHD 1261 rec 1957-1963}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 246 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 138 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 24 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957-63, 2010 Ace Records | CDCHD 1261
Rhythm & Blues / Rock & Roll / Early R&B / Soul / Funk / New Orleans R&B

With five separate volumes, Ace Story is the most comprehensive portrait of the seminal New Orleans R&B record label. Over the course of the series, each of the label's hits are featured, including "Sea Cruise," "Rockin' Pneumonia," and "Pop Eye," among others, as well as many lesser-known gems. During the late '50s and early '60s, Ace's roster featured such R&B giants as Huey "Piano" Smith, Eddie Bo, Joe Tex, Lightnin' Hopkins, Charles Brown, Amos Milburn, and Earl King; each artist is featured on at least one disc of Ace Story, along with several acts that didn't have hits, but recorded some outstanding tracks. Start with the first volume, then proceed to the other discs; every one is filled with timeless R&B.

Best of Ace is a smartly assembled, fourteen-track collection which draws from each of the band's albums. Ace is best remembered for the ultra-slick "How Long," but little of the collection bears resemblance to that hit. Instead, they're shown doing what they did best (and more often) – playing laidback, rootsy pub-rock.

Various Artists - The Ace Story, Volume 4 (2012) {Ace Records CDCHD1337 rec 1954-1962}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 216 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 136 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 25 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1954-62, 2012 Ace Records | CDCHD 1337
Rhythm & Blues / Rock & Roll / Early R&B / Soul / Funk / New Orleans R&B / Blues

The five original volumes of “The Ace (MS) Story” were part of the backbone of our catalogue during our early days. They disappeared for a long while after our licensing agreement with Johnny Vincent expired, but we were delighted to restore three of the original five to catalogue in 2010 and 2011. Judging by their sales figures, we were not the only ones to be delighted.