Sinclair is definitely the most musically precocious and, so far, prolific artist on the French funk/ R&B scene, bringing fresh ideas into French music and creating his own unique sound: 'Le Système Sinclair'. I first became aware of his talents on the 1994 Virgin records sampler that featured his song "Tranquille" from his debut album, Que Justice Soit Faite!. It had a bouncy rhythm, a catchy melody, and a chorus I can definitely relate to: "Laissez-moi tranquille/ Quand je suis en paix".
1995's Au Mépris du Danger finds Sinclair in the same territory - the 70's funk and soul with broad dashes of 80's R&B. The first track, "Sans Aucun Remede", is a commentary on the different reactions to the stress of modern day life, with a warning:
"Si tu crois qu'il te poussera des ailes/ A la dernière minute/ Tu te trompes de chute/ Et tu finiras par crier à l'aide/ Sans aucun remède". It is quite reminiscent, both sonically and topically, of Stevie Wonder circa 1972 (see "You Haven't Done Nothin'" from the album Fullfillingness' First Finale) with its low-fi percussion and layered vocals.The next two songs, "A la ronde" and "Demain", are mid-tempo grooves that are sure to have you bouncing along with them. "CO2 Street" is a searing rock track decrying the overwhelming pollution Parisians have been living with for years. It is definitely the loudest song on the album, with lots of angry guitars and layers of screams that would make Little Richard proud.
"Il ne pense qu'à lui" shows Sinclair's impressive vocal range, while decrying selfishness:
"Car en dépit du bon sens/ Il ne prend pas d'avance/ Car il ne pense qu'à lui". This song is very much in the style of Jamiroquai, although Sinclair creates a much richer arrangement.
My favorite track on the CD is "Apprendre à laisser", a 7-minute jam in
the spirit of Parliament-Funkadelic that's all about letting yourself go and enjoying
life: "Quand vient le doute/
Je sais que somme toute/ C'est toujours comme c'était/ à prendre ou à laisser/ Mais
quand j'écoute/ Au lieu de danser/ Je sais que le tout est/ d'apprendre à laisser
aller". Words to live by!
The last track on the album is definitely the most impressive. "C'est pourquoi je fume" is an ode the the wonders of cannabis, and is made up of layer after layer of wonderful noise - a great rhythm line, acoustic guitars, surreal keyboard riffs, and, of course, lots of vocals. It is an ambitious song that could have fallen apart were it not mixed so expertly:
"Et je m'angoisse en y pensant/ J'me fais du mal j'me ronge les sangs/ Et je m'angoisse en y pensant/ Et j'ai du mal à vivre sans/ Il faut qu'j'assume/ C'est pourquoi je fume…". I must say it reminds me strongly of Prince's "Tambourine" from the 1985 album Around the World in a Day (still one of my favorite records).Sinclair makes music that is danceable yet cerebral, retro yet futuristic, and has done it all on his own terms. This Spring we will be receiving his newest release, La Bonne Attitude, and I cannot wait to hear the next step in his evolution.
Sinclair