Album of the Day

Though the duo behind it were likely aware of the Lone Ranger's sidekick, the “T.O.N.T.O.” in Tonto's Expanding Head Band was really an acronym for "The Original New Timbral Orchestra" - the first multitimbral polyphonic analog synthesizer. Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff played it on sessions for other artists (including Stevie Wonder) as well as a pair of albums on their own beginning in 1971. That inaugural collection was called by Allmusic.com “one of the first - and perhaps best of - all electronic albums,” and it's easy to hear why; the six instrumentals are both highly accessible and atmospheric. Eno, Devo and all electronica artists owe a debt to TONTO'S EXPANDING HEAD BAND, and the set remains essential listening.