Tom Jones "Kiss"...what is that strange sax-like instrument?

[benjamind]

I really like this tune, but I've always been confused as to what the instrument is.

I'm thinking it could be one of these four:

1. Contrabass clarinet
2. Contrabassoon
3. Bass sax (it seems too low for a baritone, but it could be baritone)
4. Some sort of brass instrument?

I swore it was a bass saxophone, but I could be wrong.

Can anyone clue me in?

Thanks

Cheers,
Ben

[bmonroney]

It's a baritone sax, possibly sampled or otherwise processed. As I recall it has a prominent room reverb on it. The track was produced by Art of Noise (Anne Dudley, Trevor Horn, etc.), who were early adopters of the Fairlight and other sampling technology.

Brian

[dpc]

Also it sounds layered. If you layer the QL alto, tenor and bari saxes you get a similar sound because of the phase etc. Also it sounds like a harmonizer was put on there as well.

Dave Connor