Sinclair

Sinclair (Mathieu Blanc-Francard) is a pivotal figure in the French funk revival of the 1990s. Born into a musical dynasty, his work is defined by a deep technical mastery of studio production and a multi-instrumentalist approach.

His 1993 debut, 'Que justice soit faite', was largely a solo effort recorded in his apartment, showcasing a DIY ethos merged with high-fidelity ambitions. His sound is heavily indebted to the 'Big Four' of funk and soul: Prince, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, and Sly Stone. Critically, he is recognized for successfully translating the rhythmic vocabulary of American funk into the French language without losing the 'groove'. Throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, he evolved from a pure funk disciple into a sophisticated pop-soul craftsman, often utilizing the 'Sinclair System' live band to bring his meticulous studio creations to life. His cultural position in France is significant, having won 'Best New Artist' at the Victoires de la Musique and later serving as a high-profile judge on 'Nouvelle Star', which cemented his status as a mainstream authority on musicality and performance.