Paul Boutin

Paul Boutin is a French-born American sound mixer and audio engineer, best known for his collaborations with R&B singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

Boutin contributed to over 60 gold or platinum certified songs performed by acts 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. As an engineer, Boutin won a Grammy Award in 2015 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 direct nominations then Celine Dion and Babyface, more specifically for the album Falling Into You (including contributions to singles "All By Myself" and "Because You Loved Me"), the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack and Babyface’s solo record The Day.

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

Albums and singles

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 My Way (Usher, 1997) My Love Is Your Love (Whitney Houston, 1998) including the gold single "When You Believe" featuring Mariah Carey. This album was Grammy nominated for “Best R&B Album” in 2000. and won “Best R&B Album” in 2000. 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 for the Prince of Egypt soundtrack as well as "How Can I Not Love You" performed by Joy Enriquez in 1999 for the Anna and The King soundtrack. This song was nominated in 2000 for a Golden Globe Award (Best Original Song).

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).

Special projects and production

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". 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). He also played piano, keyboards and percussions on this record.

Recent discography: 2010s and 2020s

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

As engineer/mixer, Paul Boutin won a Grammy Award 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 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.

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).

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

Here is a selection of recent records (album, singles) including songs recorded and/or mixed by Paul Boutin. 2012 : Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys. This gold album won a Grammy Award in 2013 (Best R&B Album). Paul Boutin also earned a TEC Award nomination for his work on this record. 2013 : Christmas Kisses and Yours Truly by Ariana Grande (certified platinum) including the second single "Baby I" 2013 : Loved Me Back To Life by Celine Dion 2014 : Love, Marriage & Divorce by Toni Braxton and Babyface. Paul Boutin engineered and mixed the whole Grammy winning album including Billboard Adult R&B #1 single "Hurt You". 2014 : Forever Yours by Smokie Norful, Game Changer by Johnny Gill and Beautiful (Platinum Edition) by Jessica Mauboy including "Can I Get A Moment?" (certified gold in Australia) 2014 : Partners by Barbra Streisand (certified platinum) with the co-engineering of the duets with Babyface (2), John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Blake Shelton 2014 : Gypsy Heart by Colbie Caillat (including the platinum single "Try") and Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics 2015 : Right Here, Right Now by Jordin Sparks, Nine by Samantha Jade and Free TC by Ty Dolla Sign (certified gold) 2015 : Return of the Tender Lover by Babyface 2016 : Timeless by After 7 including the Billboard Adult R&B #3 single "Runnin' Out" 2017 : Johnny Mathis Sings The Great New American Songbook 2018 : Sex and Cigarettes by Toni Braxton including the Billboard Adult R&B#1 single "Long as I Live" co-written, engineered and mixed by Paul Boutin. The song earned two Grammy nominations (Best R&B Song, Best R&B Performance) in 2019. 2018 : This Christmas Day by Jessie J 2019 : "Love Again" by Brandy and Daniel Caesar, the duet is included on the albums B7 and Case Study 01. 2020 : Love Always Wins by Kem and Spell My Name by Toni Braxton including Billboard Adult R&B #1 single "Do It".