"Return to Base" marked a critical juncture for Slade, released on October 1, 1979, under Barn Records. At this point, the band faced declining fortunes, struggling with poor album sales and diminishing audience turnout for live performances. Prior to their last-minute inclusion at the 1980 Reading Festival, the band was teetering on the brink of disbandment, relying solely on songwriting royalties for income.
Following the more straightforward hard rock sound of their previous album "Whatever Happened to Slade" (1977), "Return to Base" was conceived as a continuation of this direction, aimed at revitalizing their commercial success. Despite positive critical reception, the album failed to gain traction in the market, exacerbated by Barn Records' decision to press only 3,500 copies of the lead single "Ginny, Ginny," virtually ensuring its failure to chart.
Ultimately, the album's tracks were partly salvaged, appearing on Slade's subsequent 1981 release "We'll Bring the House Down" after a successful Reading Festival performance. Remaining tracks from "Return to Base" were later included as bonus tracks on the 2007 remaster of "We'll Bring The House Down," marking "Return to Base" as the only Slade album not included in their remaster series.
