Some artists record too little too late.
Others invest in too much album production too soon, in a wasteful and fruitless effort to leap-frog over essential career steps. No artist can afford not to have the right recording at the right time. When you first start out, stick to short demos that will help you get gigs. No album, no matter how good, will sell or get radio play until you're also doing a lot of performing. Make your first album as soon you're gigging often at established venues.