by Ron Wynn
The Stylistics' slump continued as they concluded the Avco years with this 1975 album. It was clear from the content of &Day the Clown Came to Town& and &Na-Na Is the Saddest Word& how much they missed Thom Bell. Russell Tompkins, Jr., was merely competent, and sometimes sounded dispirited, as did the remaining members behind him. The production, arrangements, and compositions ranged from routine to banal, and the entire affair was a sorry way for a great group to leave a label after several wonderful years.