Sinclair

There are two artists with the name Sinclair. The other, a SF Bay Area band not featured here, has taken a new name: Pills and Jackets. So far, they're not on last.fm. Until then, you can find more about them at soulgraffiti.info and pillsandjackets.com

Sinclair, whose name is Mathieu Blanc-Francard was born July 19, 1970 in Tours (France). His father, Dominic Blanc-Francard, is one of French greatest sound engineers and his brother, Hubert a producer and DJ (under the name of Boom Bass). As for his uncle, Patrice Blanc-Francard, he was one of the first radio hosts to have popularized the "world music".

Raised in the Paris area, he discovered music at the age of 15, neglecting his scholar education (and what follows it, failed the baccalaureat (secondary school certificate)).
While improving his guitar and keyboards techniques, he got familiarized with working in a recording studio. Attracted by the magic of the black-American music, he quickly became a great admirer of the voice and the melodies of Stevie Wonder, but also of the delirious guitar of Jimi Hendrix, the funk of Sly Stone and finally of the funk master of the 80s – Prince.

In 1992, with the assistance of his brother, he records his first studio album – “Que justice soit faite”, on which Sinclair plays all the instruments except for the percussion. He wishes to control everything concerning the production and thus records it in his apartment. The album releases in 1993. The first single is entitled "Votre image”. This French styled funk allures the young public. The texts are simple and are well tuned, accounting for the everyday life of the artist. His first important concert takes place on May 12, in New Morning with nine musicians thus creating the "Sinclair System". It is followed by a hundred concerts in France, Europe and Canada. Sinclair is even awarded “Best New Artist” of the year 1995 at the Victories de la Musique.

Encouraged by the success of the first album, together with his group, in the countryside, he records a second one. It’s style does not differ from the previous album. Au mépris du danger describes a little bit the adventures of Sinclair. The arrangements became simpler and the melodies more developed. The first single is called “A la ronde”. The concerts begin again, making the scene a natural environment for Sinclair, supported by his group.

In 1997, after intensive experiments on the scene, Sinclair releases a new album “La bonne attitude”. This third opus shows a true change: the songs show a new musical tastes, slightly freed from his previous influences and turned more towards French writing.

Sinclair’s 1998 tour results in a final concert in the Zenith de Paris, November 28, recorded on a CD and VHS (“Live”). Among the setlist one can find such important songs as "Si c'est bon comme ça", "Ensemble" or "L'epreuve du temps" as well as one new title written especially for this tournee - "Ici et maintenant".

After the release of his live album, the relations with his record company become difficult. His project of new album for the moment appears to be suspended. One has to wait until 2001 so that the things change: Sinclair changes his record company. In September, “Supernova Superstar”, an opus containing twelve songs recorded in the Labomatic studio which belongs to his father Dominique, brother Boom Bass and him-himself, releases. As before, greatly influenced by the funk, Sinclair composes, writes and arranges all of the songs. The first single “Ça m'fait plus mal“ is dedicated to his girl-friend, a French actress Emma De Caunes (whom he marries in September). Eager to meet again with his fans, he plans a tournee in clubs, "to warm himself up". But the real tour start in January 2002 whereas the album reaches the 100.000 sold CD’s. After some summer festivals and appearance in the Zenith de Paris (April 3-4), Sinclair is invited to perform at the ceremony of the Victories de la Musique, March 9.His name is also mentioned in the category The best pop album of the year.

In 2002, Sinclair records a soundtrack to Guillaume Canet’s film “Mon idole”.

In 2004 releases a double album “Comme je suis” (it’s also the name of the first Cd-single) containing nine new titles as well as a best of. The next single “Heureux quand meme” was rather frequently broadcasted on the radio.

In 2005, Sinclair records a soundtrack to Rémi Bezançon’s film “Ma vie en l’air” and year later return to studio to record his next solo album.

# Que justice soit faîte ! (1993)
# Au mépris du danger (1995)
# La bonne attitude (1997)
# Live (1999)
# Supernova Superstar (2001)
# Mon idole (2002)
# Live 2002 (2003)
# Rare, Uncut & Inédits Vol.1 (2004)
# Comme je suis / 1992-2004 (2004)
# Ma vie en l'air (2005)
# Morphologique (2006)