The Crate
André Hazes
'n Vriend
'n Vriend is André Hazes’ second regular studio album, released by EMI in 1980. It is widely regarded as Hazes’ breakthrough record in the Dutch market, featuring the title track and a slate of songs that helped define his late-70s/early-80s sentimental pop-schlager style. The album’s release is dated to late 1980, with the single "'n Vriend" issued that year. ([secondhandsongs.com](https://secondhandsongs.com/release/29742))
2) Recording History
- Recording studio and location: Sessions were conducted at EMI Studios (the Bovema facility later known as Bovema/EMI Studios) in the Netherlands (noted for Hazes’ recordings of this era). ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/release/729aa4b3-df22-4c74-9459-1c82254d98b7))
- Producers and engineers: The album was produced by Tim Griek, with engineering credits to Michael Beekman, André Hooning, and Jan van Vrijaldenhoven; Jacques Verburgt served as arranger (with John van de Ven credited on some tracks). ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/release/cf902f59-0e5c-45bb-a14e-5a31faa00e79))
- Recording dates/sessions: The album entered the market in November 1980, implying recording occurred earlier in 1980. Multiple track credits indicate a sustained 1980 recording period. ([secondhandsongs.com](https://secondhandsongs.com/release/29742))
- Notable techniques/equipment: Credits emphasize contemporary late-1970s/early-1980s Dutch pop production, with Verburgt’s arrangements shaping many tracks and Hazes as sole writer on several songs. See credits for engineering, production, and arrangement. ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/release/cf902f59-0e5c-45bb-a14e-5a31faa00e79))
3) Chart Performance & Recognition
- Chart positions: The lead single "'n Vriend" reached #21 on the Dutch Top 40 and stayed on the chart for six weeks. ([top40.nl](https://www.top40.nl/andre-hazes/andre-hazes-n-vriend-5667))
- Sales/certifications: Contemporary sources highlight the album as Hazes’ major breakthrough, though specific Dutch album certifications for this title are not readily documented in accessible sources. The release is frequently described as the pivot to Hazes’ broader popularity. ([musiconvinyl.com](https://www.musiconvinyl.com/products/n-vriend-coloured-hq?utm_source=openai))
- Awards & reception: The album is widely regarded as Hazes’ breakthrough in the early 1980s Dutch pop scene, a view echoed in retrospective overviews and discographies. ([musiconvinyl.com](https://www.musiconvinyl.com/products/n-vriend-coloured-hq?utm_source=openai))
4) Cultural Impact & Legacy
- Influence: The record established Hazes as a central figure in Dutch levenslied-pop, anchoring his career through the 1980s. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Hazes?utm_source=openai))
- Notable covers/samples: The track Het Is Koud Zonder Jou is a Dutch-language cover of Rita Hovink’s Je Hoeft Me Niet Te Zeggen. ([secondhandsongs.com](https://secondhandsongs.com/release/29742)); Wat Is Dan Liefde has been cited as later sampled in De Kermisklanten’s 1981 work. ([whosampled.com](https://www.whosampled.com/album/Andr%C3%A9-Hazes/%27N-Vriend/?utm_source=openai))
- Present-day legacy: The album is frequently cited in discographies and reissues as Hazes’ breakthrough, and it remains a touchstone in discussions of his early career. Reissues and colored-vinyl editions (e.g., Music On Vinyl) emphasize its lasting significance. ([musiconvinyl.com](https://www.musiconvinyl.com/products/n-vriend-coloured-hq?utm_source=openai))
- Trivia: The album blends Hazes’ original material with Dutch-language adaptations of international songs, a pattern evident in the track credits and translator/adapter notes (e.g., “Waarom” as a translated adaptation). ([musicbrainz.org](https://musicbrainz.org/release/cf902f59-0e5c-45bb-a14e-5a31faa00e79))