Syrinx (band)

Formation

Syrinx formed in 1970, when composer and multi-instrumentalist Mills-Cockell joined forces with percussionist Alan Wells and saxophonist Doug Pringle. A progressive music trio whose body of work incorporated elements of electronica, classical and world music, and psychedelic rock, Syrinx initially played the Toronto coffee-house circuit. After a time, Canadian music executive and talent manager Bernie Finkelstein signed the trio to his newly-created True North Records.

First Album

Syrinx released its first (eponymous) album in 1970. In its wake, the group found itself newly in demand from a variety of quarters: Syrinx opened for jazz legend Miles Davis on his Bitches Brew tour, and played bills with Ravi Shankar.

In addition, the first release attracted the attention of executives from CTV, which commissioned a theme song for its forward-looking television series Here Come the Seventies. This commission resulted in Mills-Cockell composing Tillicum, which was later released as a single and was included on Syrinx’s second album.

The first album also resulted in a 1971 commission, from the respected Toronto Repertory Orchestra under the direction of Milton Barnes, of Stringspace, which Mills-Cockell composed for Syrinx, the TRO, and additional percussion. Stringspace is a 26-minute composition in four movements: Syren, December Angel, Ibisitx, and Field Hymn (Epilogue). Stringspace was performed live and broadcast on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s program Music to See in 1971.

Track listing

A1. Melina's Torch;

A2. Journey Tree;

A3. Chant for Your Dragon King;

A4. Field Hymn;

B1. Hollywood Dream Trip;

B2. Father of Light;

B3. Appaloosa - Pegasus.

Long Lost Relatives

Riding the wave of notice and critical approval that arose from their first album, Syrinx returned to the studio in late 1970 to record a second album. However, after weeks of recording, a fire destroyed the studio, the group’s instruments - including Mills-Cockell’s Moog Mark II - and the master tapes of the recordings for their new album.

Undeterred, and with fundraising support from the Toronto musical community, the group purchased new instruments and pressed on to record the album.

Long Lost Relatives was issued in 1971 on Finkelstein’s True North label. The album included Mills-Cockell’s Tillicum and the four Stringspace pieces (which, owing to the space restrictions of the LP medium, spanned both sides of the LP), rounded out by three additional Mills-Cockell compositions: Tumblers to the Vault, Better Deaf and Dumb from the First, and Aurora Spinray. Tillicum was also released as a single, and peaked at #38 on the Canadian charts in 1971.

Track listing

A1. Tumblers to the Vault;

A2. Syren;

A3. December Angel;

B1. Ibistix;

B2. Field Hymn (Epilogue);

B3. Tillicum;

B4. Better Deaf and Dumb from the First;

B5. Aurora Spinray.

Dissolution

The group disbanded in 1972 as Mills-Cockell and the other members went on to pursue other projects.

Mills-Cockell remains active in composition for stage, television, film, and radio. Pringle is a producer and director of digital media, television and music. Wells passed away in 2010 of lung cancer.

2016: Tumblers from the Vault - the Reissued Recordings

On 24 August 2016, RVNG Intl. announced the release of Tumblers from the Vault, a remastered collection including the entire released repertoire of Syrinx, together with previously-unreleased tracks, including the audio recording of the CBC Music to See performance of Stringspace. Tumblers from the Vault was offered for pre-order on 24 August 2016, and was released on 14 October 2016.

Critical Reception

Reviews from Syrinx's active years in the early '70s are difficult to come by.

Modern commentators are almost universally positive, praising Mills-Cockell's compositions, the musicianship of the three principals, and the pioneering nature of the music.

Members

Discography