The Aces

The Aces

The Aces, originally known as The Four Aces, were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker.

History The initial line-up of The Aces consisted of Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. Kong employed the group as backing singers for Dekker and they can be heard on the song "Get Up Adinah" (credited as The Four Aces). They provided the backing vocals on Dekker's major hit "007 (Shanty Town)" as well as the track "Music Like Dirt (Intensified '68)" (the winning song of the 1968 Jamaica Independence Festival Song Contest). By 1967, the only remaining members were Barry Howard and Winston Samuels and it was their backing vocals that featured on Dekker's track, "Israelites". Dekker's international success led to him touring overseas, although The Aces did not accompany him due to Samuels refusal to fly (Samuels stating that "Rastas did not fly on iron birds") and Barry Howard's decision to emigrate to the United States. The Aces continued to record under their own name (without Dekker) and had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette". By 1971 the line-up had changed again, with Barry Howard now rejoined by Carl Hall. A string of hits followed with "Reggae Motion", "Take a Look", "Oh I Miss You", "Call Me Number One", "Be My Baby", and "Sad Sad Song". Their song "Working on it Night and Day", entered the pop charts in 1973. Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street".

Members Clive Campbell (1965) Easton Barrington "Barry" Howard (1965-1969) Carl Howard Patrick Howard Patrick Johnson (1965) Winston James Samuels (left 1969, died 2017)

Discography (6)

Also Appears On (41)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Rough And Tough Various Artists Rough And Tough TJDDD 019 CD Trojan 1960-66 2002
Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set Various Artists Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set TRBCD 017 CD Trojan 1960-73 2000
This Is Reggae Music Various Artists This Is Reggae Music TJNBX 254 CD Trojan 1960-75 2005
Rudy Got Soul Desmond Dekker Rudy Got Soul TJDDD 112 CD Trojan 1963-68 2003
Work Your Soul Various Artists Work Your Soul TJDDV 069 CD Trojan 1966-74 2003
Trojan Reggae Rarities Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Rarities Box Set TJETD 215 CD Trojan 1966-77 2004
Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller Various Artists Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller TJCCD 345 CD Trojan 1967-82 2007
History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 Various Artists History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 CDTAL 700 CD Trojan 1968-71 1995
Trojan British Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan British Reggae Box Set TJETD 070 CD Trojan 1968-72 2002
Young Gifted And Black Various Artists Young Gifted And Black TJDDD 006 CD Trojan 1968-75 2002
Reggae Chartbusters Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters 2711271 CD Trojan 1969 2009
Copasetic! Various Artists Copasetic! TJDCD 564 CD Trojan 196X 2017
King Kong Compilation Various Artists King Kong Compilation IRSP 12 LP Island 196X 1981
Trojan Rocksteady Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rocksteady Box Set TRBCD 003 CD Trojan 196X 1998
Trojan Rude Boy Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rude Boy Box Set TJETD 055 CD Trojan 196X 2002
Young, Gifted And Black Vol 2 Various Artists Young, Gifted And Black Vol 2 TJODD 184 CD Trojan 196X-199X 2004
Monkey Business Various Artists Monkey Business TJDCD 541 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2016
More Monkey Business Various Artists More Monkey Business TJDCD 563 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2017
The Best Of Reggae Various Artists The Best Of Reggae DBCDX 081 CD Doctor Bird 196X-7X 2022
The Story Of Trojan Records Various Artists The Story Of Trojan Records 2775354 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2011
The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 Various Artists The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 TALL 100-200 LP Trojan 196X-7X
Trojan Originals Box Set Various Artists Trojan Originals Box Set TJETD 098 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Trojan Records Sampler 2002 Various Artists Trojan Records Sampler 2002 TJPCD 001 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
Trojan UK Hits Box Set Various Artists Trojan UK Hits Box Set TJETD 010 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
Trojan Christmas Box Set Various Artists Trojan Christmas Box Set TJETD 142 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2003
Trojan Legends Box Set Various Artists Trojan Legends Box Set TJETD 271 CD Trojan 196X-9X 2005
Reggae Steady Go Various Artists Reggae Steady Go DB2CD 162 CD Doctor Bird 1970-73 2025
From 'Bam-Bam' To 'Cherry Oh! Baby' Various Artists From 'Bam-Bam' To 'Cherry Oh! Baby' DY 3332 LP Dynamic Sounds 1972
Trojan's Greatest Hits Vol 2 Various Artists Trojan's Greatest Hits Vol 2 TBL 190 LP Trojan 1972 1972
This Is Reggae Various Artists This Is Reggae LP 2482 175 LP Polydor 1972-74 1974
Vintage Vocals Various Artists Vintage Vocals U0007 CD Upstairs Music 1972-84 1999
Reggae Steady Go Various Artists Reggae Steady Go MLF-034 LP Creole 1973 1972
Reggae Steady Go Various Artists Reggae Steady Go SRNN 7001 LP Rhino Records 1973 1973
Reggae Steady Go Vol. 2 Various Artists Reggae Steady Go Vol. 2 SRNN 7002 LP Rhino 1973 1973
DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward Various Artists DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward TJDDD 334 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Ranking Miss P Presents Sweet Harmony Various Artists Ranking Miss P Presents Sweet Harmony TJDDD 101 CD Trojan 197X 2003
Trojan Selecta Vol 1 Various Artists Trojan Selecta Vol 1 TJJCD 272 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Singles Collection Part 2 Various Artists Trojan Singles Collection Part 2 CDTRL 373 CD Trojan 197X 1996
A Place Called Africa Various Artists A Place Called Africa TJDDD 041 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2002
Rebel Music Vol 2 Various Artists Rebel Music Vol 2 TJCCD 346 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2007
Vintage Vocals Volume 2 Various Artists Vintage Vocals Volume 2 CD Upstairs Music 197X-9X 2007
6 albums
0 credit
3 labels
1967 - 1973