Years before his better known turn as the lead singer of Mike + the Mechanics, UK soul singer Paul Carrack fronted the band Ace, which quietly released three pop/R&B/funk albums in the mid-1970s to consistently good reviews but lukewarm sales. The band reached its zenith with its very first single, “How Long,” off its debut album Five-A-Side. Written by Carrack, the track reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975, captivating listeners with its smooth, undulating groove and Carrack’s warm vocals.
Although widely assumed by fans to be about infidelity, the song instead was inspired by bassist Terry Corner’s secret moonlighting with another band! Enjoy.
By Robb Patryk
Ace – “How Long”
