Tonto is an acronym of the name of a very large modular synthesizer: The Original New Timbral Orchestra. Tonto is a huge synthesizer that began with a Moog Synthesizer III at its core and was expanded with more modules from a variety of manufacturers.

 

Find a five-thousand watt stereo with indestructible woofers to listen to the first track ‘Cybernaut’. Try to imagine what this piece sounded like in 1971. I remember being stunned by this piece when first hearing it on the radio in the 70’s; there was nothing else like it.  This album is included on this list entirely due to the strength of this single track.

 

All of the cuts are totally electronic instrumental pieces.

 

 

 

Tonto’s Expanding Headband

Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil

1971