Editing Labelle (section)

===Reinvention===
Wickham advised the group to move to London and change their entire image and sound,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=arts&sc=music&sc2=news&sc3=&id=82622|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090421184343/http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=arts&sc=music&sc2=news&sc3=&id=82622|url-status=dead|website=Bay Windows - New England's largest GLBT newspaper|title=Belles of the Ball|first=Dustin|last=Fitzharris|date=April 21, 2009|archive-date=April 21, 2009|via=Archive.today|access-date=October 7, 2018}}</ref> much to the chagrin of Patti LaBelle, who feared the group would alienate their older fans with a new laid back "earthier" look. Wickham also advised them to change their name to simply "Labelle".<ref name="LarkinSM"/> Ditching the wigs and dresses, Labelle settled on Afros and jeans. They debuted this new look while backing [[The Who]] during a stop in New York.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> Following this, Labelle signed a contract with Track Records, The Who's label, which received distribution from [[Warner Bros. Records]]. In 1971, the group released their first album, simply titled ''[[Labelle (album)|Labelle]]'', quickly following it up with the 1972 album ''[[Moon Shadow (album)|Moon Shadow]]''. The albums featured the group bringing in gospel soul renditions of [[rock music|rock]] hits such as "[[Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones song)|Wild Horses]]" and "[[Won't Get Fooled Again]]". While not commercially successful, the albums were critically acclaimed and established the act as a progressive soul unit, recording more daring material such as "Morning Much Better" and "Touch Me All Over".

In 1971, Labelle were invited to record backing vocals to a covers album being recorded by [[Laura Nyro]].<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The resulting album, ''[[Gonna Take a Miracle]]'', led to the group reaching the charts for the first time<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and establishing a rapport with Nyro, who later invited them to perform with her at [[Carnegie Hall]]. In 1973, they recorded an album for [[RCA Records]] titled ''[[Pressure Cookin']]'', featuring a wildly interpretive covers medley of the songs "[[Something in the Air]]" and "[[The Revolution Will Not Be Televised]]". It was around this time that Labelle changed up their act again. Under the advice of Larry LeGaspi, the group began performing in space suits, feathers, and studded costumes.