Recorded sometime in the early '70s but kept unreleased for 30 years, Seashell is the sole album by the Flying Aces, a side project of Man bassist Martin Ace. The group was active live and even appeared on the Greasy Truckers Party live compilation (with Hawkwind and Man), but things never coalesced into a record deal. In retrospect, Seashell makes a nice slice of British psychedelic rock with no particularities to set it apart. Martin and George Ace are not good lead singers, but they do the job, at least to pub rock requirements. Whenever Vyvyan Morris steps in the music veers toward Jefferson Airplane, down to the guitar solos and the surrealistic imagery. The title track (both versions very different), "I Got Beautiful You," and "Moonlight Kiss" are all enjoyable, but "Magic Carpet Ride" is simply too cliché to please beyond flower-power nostalgia. A light country vein apparent in "Atlantic Roller" and "Waiting at the Station" keeps things interesting. Hi-fi fanatics will find the recordings slightly muffled with occasional wear and tear on the master tape, but otherwise they remain pretty listenable and have the distinctive charm (some say "warmth") of that era. Man completists will find much to like here (note the presence of Deke Leonard and Phil Ryan), but so will aficionados of vintage psych-rock. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide
Tracks
Track Title
Composers
Performers
Time
Seashell [Vinyl Version]
Martin Ace, George Ace
The Flying Aces
(2:55)
Waiting at the Station
Martin Ace, George Ace
The Flying Aces
(4:29)
I Got Beautiful You
George Ace, Martin Ace
The Flying Aces
(4:51)
Elephant at My Side
George Ace, Martin Ace
The Flying Aces
(4:34)
Larry
Martin Ace, George Ace
The Flying Aces
(7:25)
Magic Carpet Ride
George Ace, Martin Ace
The Flying Aces
(4:47)
All the Little Things
George Ace, Martin Ace
The Flying Aces
(5:22)
Real Fantasy
Martin Ace, George Ace
The Flying Aces
(3:20)
Moonlight Kiss
George Ace, Martin Ace
The Flying Aces
(3:30)
Atlantic Roller
Martin Ace, George Ace
The Flying Aces
(3:20)
Holding Back the Tears
George Ace, Martin Ace
The Flying Aces
(3:00)
Seashell [Tape Version]
Martin Ace, George Ace
The Flying Aces
(3:11)
Credits
Richard Treece (Guitar), Martin Ace (Vocals), Johnny Ace (Liner Notes), Phil Ryan (Organ (Hammond)), Deke Leonard (Piano), Vyvyan Morris (Vocals), Ken Whaley (Bass), Malcolm Morley (Guitar), Malcolm Morley (Vocals), George Ace (Guitar), Martin Ace (Guitar), David Charles (Engineer), George Ace (Producer), Martin Ace (Producer), Vyvyan Morris (Concept), Malcolm Morley (Piano), Martin Ace (Bass), Phil Ryan (Piano), Kenya Lee (Photography), Maureen O'Doodles (Photography), Steve Lee (Design), George Ace (Vocals), David Charles (Vocals), David Charles (Drums)
