Released in 1971, this self-titled LP was the first album that , , and recorded under the name . Never again would they use the name , and that's just as well; since the group had a new sound and a new image, it made sense to have a new name. And make no mistake: was determined to forge ahead in 1971. While pop considerations were a high priority for , soul considerations define : a tough, gritty, gospel-drenched effort along the lines of . Produced by (the group's manager) and , this decent, if uneven, LP isn't in a class with subsequent gems like 1974's and 1975's . Nonetheless, 's performances are generally enjoyable, and the group brings plenty of passion and sincerity to original material as well as covers of 's and ' In 1971, the best was yet to come for , both creatively and commercially. But despite its imperfections, this LP made it clear that the trio had great potential. ~ Alex Henderson