The True Reflection

With roots in Washington DC, the quartet came together at the mighty Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA. And under the august auspices of arrangers Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, and Vince Montana. True Reflection were no strangers to the recording studio themselves. Glenn Leonard had been a member of The Chancellors ( ‘All the way from Heaven’), The Instant Groove, and The Unifics. Joe Blunt had also been with The Chancellors. The remaining two members, Joe Coleman and Bobby Cox do not seem to have any obvious musical connections prior to True Reflection.
However, True Reflection did provide a springboard for their musical careers. Glenn Leonard went on to replace Damon Harris as first tenor and lead singer of The Temptations (1975-83), with possibly his most notable lead on the single ‘Power’. Jo Blunt joined The Drifters in 1975 just as their popularity soared in the UK with popcorn numbers like ‘You’re more than a number’ and ‘Hello happiness’. He featured as lead on several tracks including ‘Like a movie’ and ‘When you coming home’. Joe Coleman went on to form part of The Persuaders line up (1974-75) and later teamed up with his brother William, and Richard Gant (another ex-Persuaders who had been replaced by one Howard Kenney), to form Mirage. In 1978, they released an excellent LP in their own right entitled ‘Princes of Love’.
Back to 1972, True Reflection release their debut single “Beer Cans and Empty Hands” b/w “Silent Treatment” (Atco 45-6905) to a thunderous silence. The following year they follow it up with a long player utilising the same writing/production team responsible for their 7″, namely Bob Currington, T. Lester, W. Lester, R. Brown and Joe Blunt. Some may recognise these as the same artists that kicked up a storm for The Modulations on their ‘It’s Rough Out Here’ LP.