Reissue and compilation kings Ace Records have a book out celebrating 30 years in the business.
Ace Records: Labels Unlimited by David Stubbs tells the story of how Ace Records began life on a humble London market stall and went on to help shape the face of the modern music scene, unearthing lost classics and neglected pioneers in the world of blues, soul and rock’n’roll for over three decades. Started by Ted Carroll and Roger Armstrong in 1978 to handle reissues of (often obscure) recordings, their expert repackaging of the sounds of America never faltered and the label is now renowned throughout the world.
The book, a visual treat with plenty of illustrations, chronicles
the labels’ relationship with artists
such as BB King, John Fahey, Lee Hazlewood and Art Blakey & The
Jazz Messengers. It also helps explain how Ace Records were able to preserve such vast amounts of unique
and interesting music for future generations. And Ace continue to lead the way where others simply follow: just check out their latest scoop, a double CD compilation entitled Theme Time Radio Hour With Your Host Bob Dylan – given the blessing of Mr Zimmerman himself.
Ace Records: Labels Unlimited is available from Amazon here.