IT'S ABOUT TIME

This one doesn't get the recognition that Zero Time does, mainly because it was never released in the States. TONTO's Expanding Head Band is often thought of invariably as British, actually they're British/American (Robert Margouleff is American). It's About Time, from 1974 was released three years later, this time on Polydor. During that time they worked with Stevie Wonder, in which several albums came out under his belt with their work.

Let's say It's About Time is very much a worthy followup to Zero Time. It's a bit less experimental, so easier to take, but you can still tell it's the same duo with their custom gear. I noticed a certain Michael Cembalo in the credits, yes THAT Michael Sembello who inflicted us in the 1980s with the ever annoying hit "Maniac". Turns out that guy had worked with Stevie Wonder in the 1970s on his classic albums, so it make sense he appears here. It's more of the same nice electronic music, with a spacy vibe. "Nil Desperandum" is the only cut on this album I don't care for, sounds like one of those cheesy Moog recordings. I am most particularly fond of the last five cuts (that make up side two). Particularly "The Boatman" with that nice spacy use of sequencers (apparently their custom made TONTO featured sequencers). Some of the album had an ominous vibe, and here they even include a little ARP String Ensemble. This album was recorded on the beach in Malibu, California. I wondered how they did that without curiosity seekers walking on the beach? Probably it was well supervised. I also noticed some sound of thunder and rain. Was that produced on their synthesizers, or did a storm actually reach Southern California at that time and the TONTO guys had it recorded? Don't know. Their two albums are quite a bit different from what they were doing with Stevie Wonder, as it's much less mainstream, because they weren't expecting or wanting the same mainstream success and record sales that Stevie Wonder had. For progheads, they did later involve themselves with Steve Hllage's Motivation Radio. Apparently a CD that surfaced in1996 called TONTO Rides Again consists of material from both albums, so that's the only way you can hear material on this album on CD. For those who collect LPs, then if you can seek out the LP, it's worth it.