Ryan DeHues - Private Parlour (2023) [Hi-Res]

Ryan DeHues, who won a national crooner competition organised by Pat Boone as a teenager, loves his US classics of course, but he is also fascinated by Europe. A great record collector, he admits to a predilection for European indie pop labels. After several albums in the vocal jazz style, a few years ago he contacted the French pop duo Double Françoise, telling them of his keen appreciation of their style, his love for bossa nova, and his desire to work with them. By email, by messenger, a transatlantic friendship was born, resulting in two trips by Ryan from Michigan to France, to live, design, and record with them the songs that would make up this incredible album. Comprising 7 originals and 3 covers, the album's lush, quirky production blends bossa nova, jazz, pop, electro, lounge and chanson styles. The themes of the lyrics are often, of course, love and fascination. Most of the tracks were recorded in France in the studio of Maxence Jutel (composer and producer of Double Françoise). Some of the tracks were recorded in Los Angeles by producer Dave Siebels, under Ryan's supervision. Among other things, Maxence did the electronic parts. Several jazz musicians were involved, including Berlin-based drummer/percussionist Gabriel Hahn (New York Voices) and L.A. bassist Hussain Jiffry (Sergio Mendes, Herb Alpert). Maxence edited, mixed and mastered the whole. The instruments' timbres are rich, varied, organic, reminiscent of the 60s, 70s, 80s (Fender Rhodes, acoustic guitar, percussion, brass, etc.), and sometimes an electro touch adds a more contemporary twist. As for the voices' timbres, you have Ryan's of course, masculine, deep and soft at the same time, a sublime crooner who also knows how not to overdo it, and then the subtle female voices of Lisa, the other half of Double Françoise, and of Manuela, Ryan's childhood friend. The girl-boy duets are sensual, light and full of charm. The result of a real encounter, 'Private Parlour' is a musically lush album, full of grace, joy, beauty, warmth and melancholy. You won't hear anything like it anywhere else, it is truly unique.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Ryan DeHues - Intro (0:27)
1.02 - Ryan DeHues - The Actress (3:35)
1.03 - Ryan DeHues - A Little Bit Of Englishness (2:44)
1.04 - Ryan DeHues - Amazonas (3:37)
1.05 - Ryan DeHues - How Insensitive (3:18)
1.06 - Ryan DeHues - Maybe It's You (3:16)
1.07 - Ryan DeHues - Le chanteur (4:15)
1.08 - Ryan DeHues - Samba Saravah (4:06)
1.09 - Ryan DeHues - Deauville Stroll (3:42)
1.10 - Ryan DeHues - All These Things (2:50)
1.11 - Ryan DeHues - Outro (1:09)