Labels Unlimited: Ace Records
by David Stubbs

How to maintain the highest standards for record collectors

Anyone who owns an Ace vinyl or CD is going to love this affectionate trip through the history of the company that always maintained the grassroots links from whence it came. Presented chronologically, from the earliest days of the Golborne Road stall via Chiswick Records, to the rise and rise of the present Ace empire of broad, distinctive labels, this book allows a wonderful mix of photos and ephemera to tell the story alongside Stubbs’ clear text.

Ace’s early success is summed up by MD Roger Armstrong: “Although we’re dealing with reissues, we’re not dealing in nostalgia.” It has become synonymous with introducing collectors to great music from many genres that has previously been too rare for most to find. Collectors of R&B, soul, rock’n’roll, doo wop and girl groups have had occasion, time and time again, to be grateful for Ace’s quality of research and re-presentation.

Stubbs explains how difficult a road it was balancing shoestring budgets with high standards. To follow the story from a tiny market stall of less than 10 square metres to the magnificence of Ace’s catalogue today is a joy, and this celebratory book allows us to wallow in all that is fascinating about collecting.

ISBN 9781906155032

Reviewed by Kingsley Abbott
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