Six high-caliber musicians came together to form their own band, as each of them was a session or live musician for some artists. It was in 1976 when Jeff Porcaro (drummer) and David Paich (keyboards, pianos, and vocals) decided to form Toto, recruiting some music geniuses such as Steve Lukather (guitar), Bobby Kimball (vocals), Steve Porcaro (synthesizers), and David Hungate (bass), each of them a prodigy in music.
Toto debuted with personality, combining various music genres, mainly rock and pop, resulting in an album that is very easy to digest, yet full of very remarkable musical technicalities when listened to attentively.
What can we listen to?
A very complex fusion of genres that is enjoyable for both knowledgeable ears and those who simply enjoy music without getting into details. The album introduced the band with some of their most successful singles like “Hold The Line” and “Georgy Porgy.”
Throughout the album, we can hear excellent guitar gestures from Steve Lukather, who lets himself be carried away by the moment, either to perform a complex solo or simply to keep silent. The keyboards and synthesizers by Paich and Steve Porcaro persist throughout the album as its foundation, given that David Paich composed most of the tracks. They do not overdo it; they simply support the pieces, steering the work away from “Pure Rock,” which is heavily guitar-oriented.
The variety in vocals makes it special, as there isn’t a fixed vocalist. Sometimes it’s Kimball, other times Lukather, Paich, and even once Steve Porcaro. Here, egos weren’t in play. Despite Bobby Kimball having a more advanced singing technique than the rest of the members, he doesn’t steal the spotlight. In fact, none of them do; they all contribute equally as a band.
Musical richness in every piece
In addition to the fusion of music genres, there’s also variety in the instruments. For instance, in “You Are The Flower” or “Georgy Porgy,” there’s a wind section, as well as orchestral arrangements, besides the female choirs occasionally heard throughout the songs. In “Rockmaker,” for example, there’s a brass section. The magic lies in the details, just listen to Jeff Porcaro’s rhythms, which turn fragments of the pieces into smooth progressive rock, like the rhythmic pattern in “Girl Goodbye.”
Funk is also present in the album, especially in some guitar strums by Steve Lukather. This eponymous album truly sets the stage for the band they would become. Creativity flows from all sides, a product of the musical studies of each band member; it’s a complex work whose merit also lies in its ease of listening, despite the complex patterns and techniques executed fluently by Toto.
The album opens with an instrumental intro called “Child’s Anthem,” a highly progressive piece, which was also a novelty at the time, except for bands stuck in progressive rock.
A highly studied fusion
It’s no wonder why Toto’s musicians have collaborated with music greats like Michael Jackson, Cher, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Luis Miguel, among others, just to mention a few. It’s difficult to categorize it into a single genre, but we could define it as top-notch Pop-Rock.
What aspects of Toto’s debut album do you find most compelling, and how do you think its diverse musical influences have contributed to its lasting impact on music? Share your thoughts!
