Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 51 - Electric Keyboards and Synth Albums that Adorn Music

■ Rob Mounsey, The Man Who Shaped the Sound World of Michael Franks (Part 2)

This volume of Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal presents the middle part of the Michael Franks feature. Michael’s music is built on elements such as complex chord harmonies found in jazz and bossa nova. Even past the age of 70, his intellectually rich music continues to captivate many fans.
The fundamental axis of Michael Franks’ musical style has never wavered, but the way it is “dressed up” changes depending on the producer. Last time, we covered Michael’s early albums that were produced by Tommy LiPuma. A top producer who reigned over the music industry for many years, his outstanding sense was clearly reflected in Michael’s albums.
This feature explores Michael Franks’ music from the perspective of producers. The producer this time is Rob Mounsey. Born in 1952, Rob is a musician and music producer who, after graduating from Berklee College of Music, has been active in New York.

■ Recommended Album: Michael Franks – Objects of Love (1982)

The album cover features Paul Gauguin’s Two Tahitian Women, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, reflecting Michael’s interest in paintings.
The producer is Rob Mounsey, a rising keyboardist, arranger, and composer in New York at the time. Rob not only produced the album but also did the arrangements and keyboards, showing his versatility in multiple roles.
Unlike Tommy LiPuma, who used only acoustic piano and the Fender Rhodes electric piano, Mounsey introduced polyphonic synthesizers such as the Oberheim OB-Xa and Prophet 5, as well as Simmons electronic drums, applying cutting-edge technology to the arrangements. The use of synthesizers here avoids the thick, brash sounds of instruments like the Minimoog, instead producing refined synth tones that complement Michael’s songs, giving the album a polished and elegant character.
I first saw Rob Mounsey when his band Joe Cool visited Japan. The quartet included Rob, Chris Parker (drums), Jeff Mironov (guitar), and Will Lee (bass). This lineup also performed on Michael’s albums following Objects of Love.
Mounsey played refined keyboard parts using a Roland Jupiter-8 equipped with a custom breath controller placed above the Fender Rhodes electric piano.

Recommended Track: "Jealousy"

The intro begins with the Yamaha electric grand CP-80. A live brass ensemble is prominently featured, giving the arrangement a luxurious, glamorous feel. The brass players are New York first-call musicians, including trumpeters Randy Brecker and Lou Soloff, and tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker.
In the A section, the ensemble is simple: Rob Mounsey on CP-80, Buddy Williams on drums, Nicky Moroch on guitar, and Francisco Centeno on bass. In the B section, the Oberheim OB-Xa polyphonic synthesizer is introduced. The arrangement remains simple, highlighting Michael’s vocals, but little touches like the four-beat-inspired chorus make it colorful and engaging.
The highlight is the section where Francisco’s slap bass solo, female backing vocals, and the brass ensemble intertwine, creating an outstanding groove. Here, the skill and artistry of arranger and producer Rob Mounsey truly shine.

Yamaha CP-80

The Yamaha CP-80 is an electric piano that directly adopted the mechanism of a grand piano. It became a renowned instrument, used not only by jazz players such as Chick Corea but also by Japanese musicians like Junko Yagami. Its tone was distinct from that of an acoustic piano, yet it captivated musicians of the era. On the other hand, it weighed over 100 kilograms, creating practical issues for transport and setup. I also used it in studios, and aside from its weight, there was nothing to fault — the key touch, the sound output — it was an outstanding electric piano.

■ Recommended Album: Michael Franks – Skin Dive (1985)

Skin Dive is Michael Franks’ third album produced by Rob Mounsey. Mounsey’s signature arrangements evolved further on this album, becoming more pointed and intricate. Consequently, Michael Franks’ compositions also feel more complexly woven. Among his works, this album has a notably stronger rock influence.

Recommended Track: “READ MY LIPS”

The track features top New York musicians: Marcus Miller on bass, Hiram Bullock on guitar, and Chris Parker on synth drums. The polyphonic synthesizer is used effectively in the chorus, enhancing the song’s impact.

Recommended Track: “LET ME COUNT THE WAYS”

The intro evokes a springtime landscape, colored by Mounsey’s delicate synthesizer work. The arrangement is simple with bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, and chorus—with what appears to be a Prophet-5 polyphonic synthesizer providing the song’s structural backbone. Rob Mounsey himself also contributes to the chorus.

Musicians, albums, recommended tracks, and keyboards featured this time:

• Artists: Michael Franks, Rob Mounsey, Jeff Mironov, Nicky Moroch, and others
• Albums: Objects of Desire, Skin Dive
• Tracks: “Jealousy,” “READ MY LIPS,” “LET ME COUNT THE WAYS”
• Instruments/Equipment Used: Yamaha Electric Grand CP-80, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Oberheim OB-Xa, Prophet-5, and others

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