Syrinx - Tillicum

cwrea

Review by Chris W. Rea

Alright, let’s dive into Tillicum by Syrinx, a gem from 1970 that feels like it was beamed in from some alternate dimension where Canada ruled the psychedelic music scene. This album is wild—a mix of Electronic, Rock, and even Stage & Screen vibes, with styles ranging from Prog Rock to Psychedelic Rock. It’s not your typical listen, but hey, who wants typical? First off, you’ve got “Tillicum (Theme From Here Come The Seventies),” which hits you like a groovy time machine. The track opens with this lush keyboard work courtesy of John Mills-Cockell, whose fingers must’ve been on fire when he recorded this. You can almost picture Douglas Leiterman and Philip Hobel nodding approvingly in the background as film producers. The melody loops around your brain like an old friend you haven’t seen in years—it’s catchy without being annoying, deep without taking itself too seriously. And the vibe? Oh man, it’s pure seventies optimism wrapped up in a theme so cinematic, you’ll start imagining opening credits for movies that don’t exist. Then there’s “Melina’s Torch.” This one sneaks up on you. At first, it feels understated, almost shy compared to the boldness of the title track. But give it a minute. Those haunting keys creep in, layering over each other until you’re swimming in soundscapes that feel both alien and familiar. It’s moody, yeah, but also kinda hopeful, like staring at stars through smudged glasses. I remember this track because it doesn’t just sit in the background—it demands attention. By the end, you’re wondering if Melina’s torch is lighting her way or setting something ablaze. Either way, it sticks with you. What makes Tillicum stand out isn’t just its genre-blending audacity; it’s how unapologetically Canadian it feels. True North Records gave us this quirky masterpiece, and honestly, we should all thank them. Listening to Syrinx feels like overhearing a conversation between musicians who are either geniuses or slightly mad—or maybe both. Here’s the kicker: after spinning this album, I found myself humming “Tillicum” while making toast. That’s the magic of it—it worms its way into your everyday life, turning mundane moments into scenes from a movie soundtrack. So go ahead, grab a copy of Tillicum. Just don’t blame me if you start daydreaming about kaleidoscopic landscapes during your commute.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: syrinx-tillicum.zip
  • MP3 size: 15.8 mb
  • FLAC size: 116.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Melina’s Torch2:59
Tillicum (Theme From Here Come The Seventies)1:54

Video

Syrinx - (1)Melina's Torch
Syrinx - Tillicum

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • TN 4-104, TN4 104
  • TN-4 104

Labels

True North

Listen online

  • écouter en ligne
  • online luisteren
  • lytte på nettet
  • ouvir online
  • escuchar en línea
  • lyssna på nätet
  • online anhören
  • ascolta in linea
  • kuunnella verkossa

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 7"
  • 45 RPM
  • Single
  • Reissue

Companies

RoleCompany
Produced ForHobel / Leiterman Productions

Credits

RoleCredit
Film ProducerDouglas Leiterman, Philip Hobel
KeyboardsJohn Mills-Cockell

Notes

  • Distributed in a picture sleeve.
  • Two stars aside ★★Titles on labels.
  • Category on sleeve: TN4 104
  • Theme from "Here Come The Seventies"
  • Category on labels : TN 4-104
  • Manufactured in Canada
  • A) From the CTV-Hobel-Leiterman Production
  • B) From the True-North album "Syrinx"
  • Prod. ... for Windfall Music Enterprises Inc.

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, label): (TN 104-A)
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B, label): (TN 104-B)
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched runout): TN4-104-A TG
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B, etched runout): X TN4-104 TG
  • Matrix / Runout (Scratched-out in runouts): TN-5-A / TN-5-B
  • Matrix / Runout: TN-4-104-TN- TGA
  • Matrix / Runout: TN 4-104-B-2 PG

About Syrinx

Canadian electronic-music group that was active from 1970 to 1972. Its song "Tillicum"received national attention as the theme music of the television series "Here Come the Seventies." Line-up: John Mills-Cockell (piano, organ) Doug Pringle (saxophone) Allan Wells (percussion) Malcolm Tomlinson (drums, vocalsactive later in the band's existence)

Members

  • John Mills-Cockell
  • Doug Pringle
  • Alan Wells

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The 1970 Canadian album *Tillicum* by Syrinx is a hidden gem blending electronic, rock, and psychedelic sounds. It features the track "Tillicum (Theme From Here Come The Seventies)," which was tied to a film project. The album’s unique vibe comes from John Mills-Cockell’s keyboard work and its prog-rock edge. It’s like a time capsule of experimental music from that era. Cool, right?

Comments

orlando111
2025-03-16
Thank you so much for this upload - I was was afraid I would never hear this album again!
timeoreternity
2025-03-15
lucky to have the album. Take that CBC.
OMG! I heard this playing on BBC 6 Music earlier tonight and immediately recognised it, although the last time I heard it must have been the late 60's. There used to be a TV show that I loved as a kid. It was called 'Toward the Year 2000', with lots of predictions about us all having jet packs, monorail trains and moonbases. This, I'm sure was the title music and I'm not mistaking it for the other show people have mentioned. Futuristic stuff!
touchstoneedu
2025-03-13
forever etched into my mind from watching ''Here Come the Seventies'' . A great tune. Love these synth pioneers!
My friend Steve's parents asked to borrow this album in 1971 because they loved it when I played it for my buddy. That never happened before.
pachinsv
2025-03-13
I have the 7” 45 rpm ?
wromerof5ccd54349
2025-03-12
I loved it tillicame
This mellow use of the Moog synthesizer with the Sax in B and C#minor and D#minor evokes nostalgic feelings of youthful expectations for a better world and awe at the marvels of technology to come for the advancement of humankind and the sadness if how difficult it is to change man's inhumanity toward each other.
aljorucio
2025-03-12
I saw Syrinx live in Yorkville in the early 70s. Can't remember the venue. It's a shame that the group dissolved after such a relatively short time. They were incredibly innovative and talented.
cjshave125
2025-03-11
Who is still here 2020 ?
shaggis
2025-03-11
They played at Ottawa Tech back in the late 60s. Made me fall in love with synthesizers.
igorlimma
2025-03-11
As a young girl, teen I listened to this along with later Original Pink cutesy Moog machine on the cover on the front. The sounds would waft from one side of my head to the other. Like the music was traveling through space. It was awesome.
garyewart61
2025-03-10
They failed to predict the C(rap} music of today.
jdereamer
2025-03-10
From Toronto I saw them play live at the University of Toronto and at York Univercity I beieve in 1970's they blew me away.
rajatrtm
2025-03-09
Good memories!
fosfate
2025-03-09
Wasn't this the opening, or closing, to a series I used to watch in the US called "Toward The Year 2000" ?
joachimholster
2025-03-09
A terrific album.
mariacristina130218
2025-03-08
Finally after all these years available on iTunes , well worth 79p for a piece of history
fycomot
2025-03-07
Excellent! I was thinking of uploading this some day. I still have the LP. :-)
huzulee
2025-03-07
From behind the grade three teacher at our school looked exactly like the girl who walked into the lake and disappeared at the beginning of every show.
sepnitazulia
2025-03-06
Remember this theme. We thought this sound was so futuristic at the time, which it was.
uvyfed
2025-03-06
amazing, still so amazing
duffielj
2025-03-05
Syrinx was a Toronto-based band active from 1970 to 1972.  John Mills-Cockell (synths,keyboards) moved to BC (Vancouver Island), put out several solo LPs, and composes & produces music, mostly for tv, film & theater.  Doug Pringle (sax) stayed in T.O., was in another band "The Poles"  and now has a media production company "Peak Media".  Alan Wells (hand drums) returned to his hometown Halifax but died in 2010.
clotimartinez
2025-03-05
OMG same!
tricotemoi
2025-03-05
Makes me almost cry, thinking what we thought of things to come, all turned into more of the same
Theme song from Here come the 70 s- a great instrumental from an age much more gracefull than now.
kzunis1
2025-03-04
Me too !!
ocfancy
2025-03-03
Love it !!!