Released in 1980,
Slipping Out represents a departure from the renowned Philly R&B/disco group,
the Trammps. While "Disco Inferno" rose on the charts, the group's 1977-1979 releases were curiously poor sellers. That fact was so evident that
the Trammps recorded
Slipping Out in New York with the-then-hot production team/band
Mass Production. Certainly such like-minded albums failed during this era but
Slipping Out works. On this album, the majority of the tracks are sung by
Robert Upchurch rather than
Jimmy Ellis. The
Upchurch-led ballads "Loveland" and "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love," attain a sleepy and comforting production style. Another good ballad, the
Ellis-led "Our Thought (Slipping Away)" lasts all of one minute and five seconds. In 1980,
the Trammps certainly weren't known primarily for their slow songs, hence the many dance tracks that appear on
Slipping Out. The strong arm of the
Mass Production producing style appears on these tracks more. The sharp "Looking For You" features
Ellis screaming like the days of yore with
Earl Young's hammy bass runs providing great support. Other like-minded songs, "Breathtaking View" and "Groove All Mighty," just sit there.
Slipping Out will no doubt appeal to fans of both
Mass Production and
the Trammps, but it does fall far from expectations. ~Jason Elias