"Family Portraits (Volume I)" is the first full length album by British song-writer Hendrik "Henk" Kleinsmiede. Conceived as a triple series of "concept" albums on the theme of family, this collection comprises the first volume.

Written largely during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021, the sheer number of songs (three volumes!) and the

"Family Portraits (Volume I)" is the first full length album by British song-writer Hendrik "Henk" Kleinsmiede. Conceived as a triple series of "concept" albums on the theme of family, this collection comprises the first volume.

Written largely during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021, the sheer number of songs (three volumes!) and the subject matter (family) reflect the times. During three separate lockdowns in the UK and the inability to do anything else but stay at home, Henk had plenty of time on his hands to write and record songs. It was also a time for reflection...on things that matter most. In times of crises, our collective thoughts also turn to the topics dearest to our hearts: family.

The songs on all three "Family Portraits" records explore different aspects of family life: the good times; the not-so-good times; the relationships; the emotion; the fun; the dysfunction.

Many of the themes explored are universal: love for children expressed in love songs addressed directly to them; both joy and disappointment in relationships and marriages; sibling and parental relationships etc. In short, "the good; the bad; and the ugly".

The record also explores the theme of myth...of storytelling. All families are full of stories -- about themselves; individual members; relationships; occasions; friendships; feuds; fracas. But these stories aren't necessarily stable: like all stories they change and are reinvented over time. As opening song "Mythologies" states: "they ebb-and-flow and grow and swell". Become myths, sometimes larger-than-life.

To reflect this theme, the songs across all three albums are expressed in little stories; observational vignettes. These often restrict themselves to a single dimension of a family relationship: love, pride, disappointment. Sometimes all three. Hence, some songs about, say, the parent or a lover, can cover totally different dimensions of that person.

In writing vignettes, the artist was somewhat inspired by Charles Dickens, whom he has been reading fairly prolifically over the last few years (as if Dickens wrote songs!)and the employment of occasionally Dickensian titles.

As the moniker of the songwriter ("Reciprocity Nexus") suggests, this endeavour was very much a collaborative affair. First and foremost with musical collaborator and consultant, Siljan Panovski, who offered invaluable advice on all aspects of the songwriting, from song structure to melodies and harmonies.

But also the following musicians:

Drums: Max Saidi -- www.wantdrums.com Bass: Dan Giles -- www.dangilesmusic.co.uk Piano and Keyboards: Siljan Panovski Guitars: Nicky V Brass: William Allen Jnr. Strings: Elliott Kempton Vocals and vocal harmonies: Hendrik "Henk" Kleinsmiede

"Family Portraits (Volume I) track listing:

1. Mythologies
2. Summer (Thought I’d Write a Love Song To You)
3. Three-and-a-Half Musketeers
4. Exceptional Millennial
5. Marry in Haste (Repent with Pleasure)
6. Octogenarian Sagacity
7. Cornish Pasties
8. Ants-In-Your-Pants
9. Orphan (You Gave Me My Name)
10. Princess-on-the-Pea
11. Yummy Mummies
12. Up In The Saddle (Again)
13. Good Time Charlies
14. Touched By Angels

All songs written by Hendrik "Henk" Kleinsmiede, except "Orphan (You Gave Me My Name)" co-written with Siljan Panovski.

Volume I of the "Family Portraits" was produced by Los Angeles based producer Shrewski.

I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it.