However, it is the first of four albums to be released by the lineup of Tim Hauser, Laurel Massé, Alan Paul, and Janis Siegel, and the first to establish the sound and style for which the group would become known.

It was released on April 2, 1975, by Atlantic Records and was produced by Ahmet Ertegün and Tim Hauser.

Ertegün, founder and chairman of Atlantic, attended one of their performances at the New York City cabaret Reno Sweeney.

Shaun Considine reviewed the album in May 1975 for The New York Times: The Manhattan Transfer debuted on Billboard's Top Pop album chart on May 3, 1975, reaching #33.

[3] "Tuxedo Junction" reached #24 on the British pop charts.