Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol.184 - Memorable Horn Solos Special Edition: Electric Shakuhachi!? Lyricon/Wind Synthesizer Feature Part 3!

Memorable Horn Player Solos: In the previous installment, we featured saxophone solos by Tom Scott and Branford Marsalis.
This time, it's another solo by Tom Scott, but not on saxophone. While the saxophone is an acoustic instrument, this special edition focuses on an electronic instrument—what I playfully call the "electric shakuhachi." To be precise, it’s a wind synthesizer.
The wind synthesizer, which emerged in the late 1970s, initially fooled me into thinking I was listening to a keyboard synthesizer solo. However, there was something distinct about it—its nuance. Unlike keyboard synth solos, the wind synthesizer uses a long, soprano-sax-like body. You blow into it, and the dynamics of your breath control the sound, making the instrument itself a breath controller.

The Electric Shakuhachi Loved by Progressive Sax Players: The Lyricon

Tom Scott is renowned not only as a saxophonist but also as a master of the wind synthesizer.
During its early days, the wind synthesizer was often referred to as the Lyricon. It featured saxophone-like fingering and functioned as a breath controller connected to sound sources such as analog synthesizers to produce sound.
In Japan, many may recall T-SQUARE’s saxophonist, Takeshi Itoh, who used the Lyricon to play lead solos. Beyond Tom Scott, another prominent wind synthesizer virtuoso was Michael Brecker.
Michael Brecker utilized various wind synthesizers, such as AKAI's EWI, during his performances with the jazz-fusion band Steps Ahead.

⇒ [AKAI / EWI Product List]

Wind synthesizers like the Lyricon eventually benefited from the MIDI standard, allowing musicians to layer multiple sound sources. A defining feature of wind synthesizers is their expressiveness, with sound dynamics influenced by the strength of the performer’s breath. However, since they can only produce one note at a time, rich and robust tones were often preferred.
Many musicians who used wind synthesizers favored Oberheim synthesizers for their thick, powerful sound. Notably, Oberheim’s Expander, a six-voice sound module without a keyboard, was highly regarded for its incredible sound depth. Renowned keyboard players such as David Paich and Steve Porcaro of TOTO were among its users.
I, too, connected an Oberheim Expander to a keyboard via MIDI, and it remains the synthesizer with the richest sound I’ve ever owned. Its sonic presence was unmatched, overshadowing other synthesizers with ease.
Given the monophonic nature of wind synthesizers, it’s easy to understand why musicians gravitated toward sound sources with such commanding presence.

Lyricon, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Quoted from Wikipedia)

■ Recommended Album: Stuff Like That by Quincy Jones (1978)

Released in 1978, Stuff Like That became a best-selling album featuring a lineup of iconic tracks and performances. The album showcases the talents of top-tier musicians like Richard Tee and Steve Gadd from the band Stuff, alongside an extraordinary roster of vocalists including Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, and Luther Vandross—staples of Quincy’s musical network—who add a lavish touch to the production.
The album opens with a danceable track that incorporates the disco beats popular at the time and includes standout songs like the sultry "I’m Gonna Miss You in the Morning" and the unforgettable "Tell Me a Bedtime Story." These tracks highlight a fusion of danceable grooves and sophisticated, soulful balladry.
Quincy Jones' music transcends the boundaries of traditional Black music, blending exceptional songwriting with the skills of world-class musicians. This synergy solidified his rise to peak acclaim in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s.

Recommended Track: "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning" Solo Player: Tom Scott

At a favorite rock café in Ekoda, I first heard this unforgettable track, and its brilliance has stayed with me ever since. What struck me most was the unique synthesizer solo—something I hadn’t encountered before. It turned out to be Tom Scott playing the Lyricon.
While Tom Scott is best known as a saxophonist, he was also a master of the Lyricon. Typically, the Lyricon produces horn-like sounds through an analog synthesizer, but this track takes a different sonic approach. It’s hard to describe, but the tone resembles Miles Davis playing a muted trumpet. During the solo, subtle tonal changes occur, likely achieved by adjusting the VCF cutoff, showcasing the performer's artistic finesse.
The subtle nuances achieved through breath control, which cannot be replicated on keyboard synthesizers, truly showcase the essence of a saxophonist’s artistry.

■ Recommended Album: Just the Two of Us by Michael McDonald (1996)

This album is brimming with lighthearted, tropical sounds. Ralph MacDonald’s signature sound often features the steel pan, a hallmark of Trinidad and Tobago, blending seamlessly with his percussive rhythms to create a unique and refreshing atmosphere.
The lineup includes an impressive roster of first-call musicians: Rob Mounsey (keys), Tom Scott (sax), Michael Brecker (sax), Grover Washington Jr. (sax), Steve Gadd (drums), Chris Parker (drums), Abraham Laboriel (bass), Anthony Jackson (bass), Jeff Mironov (guitar), and Dennis Collins (vocals), among others.
The result is music with a breezy, low-humidity vibe—perfect for listening by the poolside on a tropical island. This album is an ideal companion for the upcoming season.

Recommended Track: "Just the Two of Us" Solo Player: Tom Scott

This album features a cover of the iconic track "Just the Two of Us" from Grover Washington Jr.'s Winelight album, originally produced by Ralph MacDonald. While Grover’s version had an urban music-inspired arrangement, this rendition leans into a more tropical flavor, enhanced by Dennis Collins' warm and vocal touch.
Tom Scott delivers a melodious solo on the Yamaha Wind Synthesizer WX7. The tone, reminiscent of an oboe, blends seamlessly with the light and airy arrangement of the track, perfectly complementing its tropical vibe.

Featured Musicians, Albums, and Recommended Tracks

• Artists: Tom Scott, Ralph MacDonald, Dennis Collins, and more
• Albums: Stuff Like That and Just the Two of Us
• Recommended Tracks: "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning", "Just the Two of Us"

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