Most people already think of September when Earth, Wind & Fire is brought up. So it was only fitting that the ageless crooners release their first studio album in eight years, titled Now, Then & Forever, on September 10.

The group had originally planned to release a new album back in 2012, around the time of the presidential election, but decided to go back to square one after agreeing that the material was not up to their standards.

"I said, 'Let's go back to the drawing board,'" remembers the group's legendary singer, Phillip Bailey, in a recent interview. "It's a great representation of who Earth, Wind & Fire is now, but not departing from the classic sound," he added.

According to NPR, the band is working with co-founder Larry Dunn, among others, to help cultivate that classic sound, and Bailey's son, Phillip Bailey Jr., will also handle some of the album's writing and production duties.

The album's first single, "My Promise," was released Monday (June 24).

The "Let's Groove" singers, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, currently have a handful of dates, mostly overseas, but are expected to tour in support of Now, Then & Forever.

Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and many more. Go here for more details and info on how to buy tickets. Sign-up now to attend free film screenings, celebrity basketball games and more.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: Courtesy of Sony Music)