Erik Leuthäuser - Quality Time in NYC (2025) [Hi-Res]

The album "Quality Time in NYC" by German vocalist Erik Leuthäuser was created through two studio sessions held a few days apart outside Manhattan. The project pays tribute to the great representatives of classic American jazz vocal art: Susannah McCorkle and Irene Kral, and marked Leuthäuser's meeting with experienced instrumentalists of the US mainstream jazz scene, including Allen Farnham and Ken Peplowski. This is a return to classic jazz vocal for the singer, despite his later stylistically diverse albums like "Wishes" and "Addiction." Leuthäuser, who considers himself a jazz singer, explains his interest in older material, including songs from the Great American Songbook, alongside composing his own music with jazz influences. The project was initially only dedicated to Susannah McCorkle, but was later complemented by a session honoring Irene Kral, due to circumstances and contact with pianist Alan Broadbent (with whom Leuthäuser had previously recorded a tribute). The pandemic played a role in the album's creation as musicians in the US had more free time for such special projects. Leuthäuser selected songs that touched him, sometimes changing gender pronouns in the lyrics to deepen personal connection, which makes his interpretations sensitive and romantic. He also visited his hero, singer and songwriter Ronny Whyte (who died on August 19, 2025). The two sessions blended into a cohesive whole, demonstrating a perfect intertwining of interpretive quality, feeling, and sound, with Leuthäuser at the center as an artful storyteller.

Tracklist:
1. Erik Leuthäuser - Where Is Love
2. Erik Leuthäuser - My Ideal
3. Erik Leuthäuser - Day by Day
4. Erik Leuthäuser - The Right to Love
5. Erik Leuthäuser - My Heart Tells Me
6. Erik Leuthäuser - I Just Can't Wait to See You
7. Erik Leuthäuser - I'm Through with Love
8. Erik Leuthäuser - Someday I'll Find You
9. Erik Leuthäuser - That Ole Devil Called Love
10. Erik Leuthäuser - Quality Time
11. Erik Leuthäuser - The People That You Never Get to Love
12. Erik Leuthäuser - Rain Sometimes
13. Erik Leuthäuser - Evolution
14. Erik Leuthäuser - Where Do You Start
15. Erik Leuthäuser - Down
16. Erik Leuthäuser - Feet Do Your Stuff
17. Erik Leuthäuser - Scars
18. Erik Leuthäuser - I'm Pulling Through
19. Erik Leuthäuser - Little Willie Leaps