The seven tracks on the first and only LP by the British band Tonton Macoute feature laid-back, light progressive rock with organ and flute solos, enhanced by jazz elements such as saxophone, vibraphone and analogue piano. In contrast to the sparkling jazz-rock, both the sinister band name – borrowed from a violent paramilitary unit in Haiti – and the cover designed by Keef with its very sombre, bizarre apocalyptic atmosphere stand out. The short-lived quartet consisted of Paul French (org, p, vib, voc), Dave Knowles (sax, fl, cl, voc), Chris Gavin (b, g) and Nigel Reveler (dr), who met in the late 1960s through an advertisement in Melody Maker and initially performed under the name Windmill.

The album was recorded at London’s Advision Studios and produced by the band themselves. The self-titled debut was released in May 1971 on RCA’s progressive sub-label Neon, which also released albums by other short-lived groups such as Spring, Raw Material, Running Man and Indian Summer. Unfortunately, Tonton Macoute, like the other bands, enjoyed no success whatsoever, which was down to the record company’s inadequate advertising and marketing efforts. The group soon disbanded in disappointment. Like almost all LP releases on the short-lived Neon label – which released just eleven LPs in the UK – this one is also a highly sought-after collector’s item worldwide.