The Pips - At Last 1977

 For a time in the late '70s, the Pips -- William Guest, Bubba Knight, and Edward Patten -- cut their apron strings to Gladys Knight and did this solo release. It wasn't the first time they recorded sans Gladys -- they did so in the '60s, prior to Motown when Gladys married and had her first child. Casablanca didn't do its usual powerhouse promotion job on this release. In fact, many are unaware of its existence. Produced by Arthur Wright, the album has a soft, mushy feel with over-dubbed backing harmonies by the Pips. The leads aren't riveting, and coupled with bland songs and arrangements, the results are a grade less than C-level. Three of the seven songs, "At Last My Search Is Over," "Happiness," and "Uncle James" aren't half bad.