Paul Boutin (sound engineer)

This article is about the sound engineer. For the magazine writer and editor, see Paul Boutin.
Paul Boutin
GenresSoul, R&B, Pop, Rock
OccupationsSound engineer and vocal producer
Years active1995–present

Paul Boutin is a French-born American music mixer, audio engineer and a long-time collaborator with producer/songwriter/artist Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

Over the last 20 years, Paul Boutin contributed to more than 60 gold or platinum records[1] as engineer/mixer of songs performed by famous artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, John Legend, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Janet Jackson, John Mellencamp, Lionel Richie, Toni Braxton, Alicia Keys, Usher, Pink, Jamie Foxx, Ariana Grande, TLC, Boyz II Men and Fall Out Boy among others.[2]

As engineer, Paul Boutin won a Grammy Award in 2015[3] for recording and mixing Love, Marriage & Divorce by Toni Braxton & Babyface (Best R&B Album). His work is also credited on several other Grammy nominated albums and singles since 1995 including two personal nominations[3] in 1999 and 2018.

Early career

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Paul Boutin (born 1970 in Paris) studied biological engineering in France before moving to the United States in 1991. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where he specialized in music production and sound engineering.

In 1995, Paul Boutin went to Los Angeles and worked as assistant engineer at Paramount and Sound Chambers Studios. He was finally hired at Record Plant Studios and became assistant of confirmed engineers Humberto Gatica and Brad Gilderman.

At Record Plant, Paul Boutin was involved in recording/mixing sessions for Liza Minnelli[4] then Celine Dion and Babyface, more specifically for the album Falling Into You[5] (including contributions to singles "All By Myself" and "Because You Loved Me"), the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack and Babyface’s solo record The Day.[6]

In 1996, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds opened his own private studio “Brandon’s Way Recording” in Los Angeles where Paul Boutin joined him.

Selected discography: 1990s and 2000s

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Albums and singles

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At Brandon’s Way, Paul Boutin worked on major projects that earned multiple RIAA certifications and Grammy nominations. Among those certified/nominated projects, here is a selection of records[2] with significant involvement by Paul Boutin (recording and/or mixing) :

Otherwise, between 1996 and 2007, Paul Boutin engineered or co-engineered all the albums recorded by Babyface as solo artist. Those records are including Christmas with Babyface (1998), Face2Face (2001), Grown & Sexy (2005) and Playlist (2007).

Movies and television soundtracks

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After being credited for his work as assistant on the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, Paul Boutin worked on several original soundtracks between 1995 and 2005. On the R&B side, he co-engineered most of the Soul Food soundtrack in 1997 including work on the gold singles "I Care 'bout You" and "We're Not Making Love No More". On the Pop/Rock side, Paul Boutin brought an important contribution to the recording of the Josie and The Pussycats soundtrack[9] in 2001. Those two major projects were helmed by Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.

Paul Boutin recorded the Grammy nominated song "When You Believe" performed by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey in 1998[10] for the Prince of Egypt soundtrack as well as "How Can I Not Love You" performed by Joy Enriquez in 1999[11] for the Anna and The King soundtrack. This song was nominated in 2000 for a Golden Globe Award (Best Original Song).[12]

He also contributed to television projects including the engineering of the song "The Way Love Goes" (performed by Al Green and produced by Babyface, main theme of the Soul Food Series). The song was nominated in 2001 for an Emmy Award (Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music).[13]

Special projects and production

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In 2004, Paul Boutin engineered the cover version of "Wake Up Everybody". Produced by Babyface, the song urged young Americans to vote and was performed by a supergroup including numerous R&B/Hip-Hop singers and rappers such as Brandy, Missy Elliott, Monica, Akon, Fabolous, Eve, Jaheim, Wyclef Jean, Jadakiss and Musiq among others.

During summer 2008, Paul Boutin flew across the United States as engineer/mixer of "Just Stand Up".[14] Produced by Babyface and LA Reid, this song was performed by an all-star charity group including R&B, Pop, Rock and Country singers such as Beyoncé, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, LeAnn Rimes, Fergie, Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Leona Lewis, Rihanna and Natasha Bedingfield among others. Certified double platinum, the song was performed live during the first Telethon Stand Up To Cancer in September 2008.

In addition to his work as sound engineer, Paul Boutin produced the whole album One Less Dream by Morris Brothers (2007, Miles High Record).[15] He also played piano, keyboards and percussions on this record.

Recent discography: 2010s and 2020s

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From the end of the 2000s, Paul Boutin has been more focused on mixing. He’s still working closely with Babyface and Toni Braxton as well as producers Antonio Dixon and The Rascals.

Mixing and vocal production

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As engineer/mixer, Paul Boutin won a Grammy Award[16] with artists Toni Braxton and Babyface for his work on Love, Marriage & Divorce (Best R&B Album in 2015).

Furthermore, he contributed to two other Grammy nominated albums in 2015[17] with Partners by Barbra Streisand (Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album) and Forever Yours by Smokie Norful (Best Gospel Album).

Paul Boutin engineered in 2015-2016 (recording, mixing, percussions) the albums Return of the Tender Lover by Babyface and Timeless by After 7, respectively #2 and #4 on the Billboard Top R&B albums chart.[18][19]

In 2018, Paul Boutin is credited as vocal producer, engineer and mixer of Sex and Cigarettes, the ninth studio album by Toni Braxton. This record was nominated for a Grammy Award (Best R&B Album).[20]

Spell my Name, the tenth album by Toni Braxton, is released in 2020. Paul Boutin is co-executive producer, vocal producer and mixer of the project.

Works and credits

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Here is a selection of recent records (album, singles) including songs recorded and/or mixed by Paul Boutin.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database". 63 records (13 singles and 50 albums) from Paul Boutin’s discography were certified as of September 15, 2020. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  2. ^ a b c "Paul Boutin: Discography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  3. ^ a b "Paul Boutin: Grammy Archive". grammy.com. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  4. ^ Verna, Paul (1995-12-02). "Studio Action: Audio Track (p.42)". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  5. ^ "Falling Into You: Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  6. ^ Verna, Paul (1996-07-13). "Studio Action: Audio Track (p.43)". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Grammy Awards History: Best R&B Album". rockonthenet.com. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  8. ^ "Grammy Awards History: Album Of The Year". rockonthenet.com. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  9. ^ "Josie and the Pussycats Soundtrack: Detailed Credits". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  10. ^ "When You Believe: Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  11. ^ "How Can I Not Love You: Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  12. ^ "Golden Globes 2000: Nominees". hfpa.org. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  13. ^ "Emmy Awards 2001: Nominees". emmys.com. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  14. ^ "Just Stand Up: Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  15. ^ "Morris Brothers Release One Less Dream Today (2007-10-23)". allaboutjazz.com. 23 October 2007. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  16. ^ Upton, Liz (2015-02-09). "Berklee Alumni Win 14 Grammy Awards". Berklee News: category 21. berklee.edu. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  17. ^ Upton, Liz (2014-12-14). "Berklee Alumni Could Win 40 Grammy Awards". Berklee News: second part, categories 7, 21 and 38. berklee.edu. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  18. ^ "Top R&B Album Chart 2015-12-26". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  19. ^ "Top R&B Album Chart 2016-11-05". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  20. ^ a b "61st Annual Grammy Awards". grammy.com. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  21. ^ "Grammy Awards History: Best R&B Song". rockonthenet.com. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  22. ^ "TEC Awards 2013: Nominees ('Record Production/Album' category)". legacytecawards.org. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  23. ^ "Toni Braxton & Babyface Duets Album & New Single" (Press release). prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  24. ^ "ARIA Accreditations 2014 singles". aria.com.au. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  25. ^ "NAACP Image Awards 2019: Winners". naacp.org. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
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