TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Tonto's Expanding Head Band" - Tonto's Expanding Head Band (1971)

"Tonto's Expanding Head Band" - Tonto's Expanding Head Band (1971)

     The music is spacey electronic splashes of very early Moog synth that tip-toe through the fields of prog-psych trippiness.  Tonto's Expanding Head Band, created by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, offers a weird and experimental mind game on their debut.  The album has been credited as being a big influence on numerous musical acts, from Stevie Wonder to Devo.  

     I didn't love this square initially, but it's definitely been a grower.  Tonto's Expanding Head Band is a spin that requires active listening free from distractions.  Being in the right frame of mind matters.  Headphones are your friend, and though I don't listen to this a lot, the album still gives more than it takes.  

"Tonto's Expanding Head Band" - Tonto's Expanding Head Band (back)

Favorites include:
"Aurora"
"Riversong"

     My copy is a 1975 reissue released on the Atlantic label with a completely different album cover from the original.  The original '71 debut cover art has a more lava lamp grooviness that this one lacks.  However, after studying the new album cover for at least a minute or three, I discovered that when you hold it upside down, a terrifying Mothman creature (or friendly, who knows) can be seen staring right back at you.  I couldn't look away.  It's a trip!  

     This album is not expensive, but it is starting to creep.  There are still plenty of cheapies out there, though, so don't overpay.  If you like some early electronic flibbidyfloo that's pretty good and also has a bit of influential credibility in the music world, it's worth a snag.  Oh, and by the way, for the matrix nerds, this vinyl pressing has one of the longest deadwax scripts I've ever come across. (see below)

Atlantic label

Cat #
SD 18123   
SIDE A  DEADWAX
ST-A7432 83-AA (MR)  RIMMC  △19638 () )  ZEROTIME PR  KENDUN A 
SIDE B  DEADWAX
ST-A-743284AA  PEACE, LOVE, & JOY - SIGNED  BOB & MALCOM  (MR) △19638-X (1) PR  THE ONLY WAY OUT OF A CIRCLE IS THROUGH THE CENTER-TAMA  KENDUN-B

"Riversong" - Tonto's Expanding Head Band / "Tonto's..." (1971)

TRACKS:
A1  "Cybernaut" 4:30
A2  "Jetsex" 4:14
A3  "Timewhys" 4:57
B1  "Aurora" 6:48
B2  "Riversong" 8:00
B3  "Tama" 5:23

PERSONNEL: 
Malcolm Cecil - writing, programming, performing, engineering, producing
Robert Margouleff - writing, programming, performing, engineering, producing

Good stuff.

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