ACE PERFORMED a nifty little set at the Hornsey College of Art last Thursday. I do not have much information about this band except their origins spawn from Mighty Baby and Warm Dust (remember Warm Dust, the band who sent their albums to all the world’s leaders?) They are a five piece comprising of two guitars, organ, bass and drums.
It was difficult to understand the vocals as the P.A. sound was diabolically bad, making the lyrics incomprehensible. But this is no fault of the band. Their numbers cooked in the same style as the Average White Band (it seems strange making comparisons with a band so young) but the band were not tight enough to get the full effect.
They attempted some country numbers very much in the vein of Poco but the weak harmonies let them down. Obviously they’ve still got a lot to learn but if they keep working hard and remain unspoiled by commerciality I think they’ll build up quite a strong following.
© Pete Makowski, Sounds, 19 January 1974