Ace Records has been one of the U.K.'s leading reissue labels ever since they set up shop in 1975, and they've put scores of great sides back into circulation for the benefit of soul and R&B enthusiasts. To help celebrate the label's 30th anniversary, Dean Rudland and Ady Croasdell compiled this set of 20 superb R&B grooves from the Ace catalog, suitable for the dancefloor. Opening with Dave Hamilton's semi-psychedelic slice of early funk, "Brother Ratt," and closing out with the Joe Tex-influenced "Careful Man" from John Edwards, this disc is filled with top-shelf soul sounds in a variety of styles and moods. Mary Love delivers a superb Motown-inspired side with "Hey Stoney Face," "Got to Get Me a Job" from Ann Alford is a tough and sinewy street-level reality check, James Carr once again reveals why he's often short-listed as the world's greatest soul singer on "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man," the soulful hippies have their day with Johnny King's "Peace, Love Not War," Millie Jackson offers some sound advice to the ladies on "Angel in Your Arms," and the Diplomats offer solace to the lovelorn on "Here's a Heart." There are lots more goodies on tap, too, and the remastering is crisp and full-bodied, letting these 20 tunes sound as fresh and bold as they deserve (especially the cuts in stereo). If this isn't the definitive Ace soul sampler, it's still a really good one, and if you want to get the crowd moving at your next party, you would do well to have this in your collection. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide