Bob Sinclar

Defected, Africanism, Yellow

2008.01.30 ::: Words by Toni Tambourine

A taxi in Tel Aviv, a restaurant by the sea in Madagascar, a coach station in Bombay, a new-age bar on Venice Beach, a club in Paris, New York or Ibiza... one tune rings out from them all: Love Generation, played over and over, tirelessly. It was with this incredibly catchy tune that Bob Sinclar had one of the biggest hits of 2005, proving - if there was any doubt - his talent for making great music with no boundaries of age or race.

Chris has been putting his numerous skills to use in a variety of domains for fifteen years now; as a DJ, founder and manager of the Yellow label, popular remixer and sought-after producer, the music he releases under the Bob Sinclar moniker is more than just shallow house fluff destined only for the dancefloor.

The idea behind Bob Sinclar is completely the opposite. His priorities are focused on bringing people together and encouraging them enjoy themselves. Ever since Chris created his doppelganger in 1997, the worldwide hits have just kept coming: Gym Tonic, My Only Love, Feel For You, The Beat Goes On, Kiss My Eyes... They've even become too numerous to count. However, rather than just being content to make people dance, Chris' upbringing in Paris, his love of hip-hop and his experiences spinning at Les Bains and Le Palace during the early years of house have inspired him to make music with hope and energy, music to be shared.

He freely admits that any professional DJ should cherish these sorts of values, and yet it seems that much of the house being released in Europe seems to forget them. The vast majority of records have no aspirations beyond getting played in as many international clubs as possible.

In this respect, Bob Sinclar has definitively set himself aside from his peers. Of course he can't deny his past of unashamedly hedonistic tracks such as Gym Tonic, a huge hit and one of the defining records of what became known as the French Touch. But in 1998 he deftly moved away from filtered house to a more ambitious music, refining his style with each new release. In 2000 came his album Champs-Élysées and a project with disco legend Cerrone that earned him a gold disc. Then his meeting with collaborators Lene Lovich and Alain Wisniak pushed him to take his music in a different, more adventurous direction, with intricate arrangements and an electro disco feel. A breakthrough came with the III album, an ambitious endeavour stuffed full of giant hits (The Beat Goes On, Nature Boy and Kiss My Eyes). And who could forget the Africanism project or the stellar production on Outro Lugar sung by Brazilian Salomé de Bahia.

Then came the tidal wave of Love Generation, with 1.2 million singles sold in a few months, making it forever the hymn of an entire generation. Another two Bob Sinclar tracks from the Western Dream album – his fourth - were to go on to be hits around the globe: World, Hold On and Rock this Party.

Although he's obviously prolific and talented, Chris is above all a passionate artist trying to push his own boundaries with every new record. As he readily admits, without a hint of false modesty, he always saw himself as someone who would create, following a certain American tradition of artists that make quality music aimed nonetheless at the masses, someone who is always looking to do the unexpected, surprising his fans and earning their admiration.

With Love Generation and the Western Dream album, Bob Sinclar attained one of these principle objectives; making music that is both sophisticated and popular, house music that is equal parts glamour, pop and sexy. His sound was both warm and direct. And it made its mark on the era.

At last, in what can only be described as a tour de force, the DJ had released a collection of melodic songs "for living". Catchy little songs to whilst or hum, songs that stayed with you, calmed you or took you to another place, whether you were on a dancefloor or in your living room, sat in the car or hooked up to your iPod. Pop music, no more no less, in the noblest sense of the term.

After such an epic 'odyssey', you'd be excused for thinking that Bob Sinclar would be ready to take a break, but you'd be wrong. His passion and drive still feed his desire for new projects to move people.

Before starting the adventure of a new album, and before setting off on a worldwide club tour this Summer, Sinclar has decided to offer a gift to his fans: Soundz of Freedom, a lavish mixed compilation, dripping with new tracks, massive hits and extra special bonuses.

This release isn't a break or the end of a chapter. Nor is it a simple list of the steps that led him to where he is now. Chris doesn't like dwelling on the past. When he does, it's only so he can get back in touch with the music that he has loved since the start, since the late eighties when he was still known as Chris The French Kiss.

Soundz of Freedom has fourteen tracks and unreleased remixes produced with Gary Pine, Steve Edwards Dollarman and Cutee B., plus unreleased remixes by Mousse T, Jamie Lewis, Axwell, Guy Schreiner and Erik Kupper. For each track, Sinclar personally contacted the remixers and chose the person whose sound he thought would be most in tune, giving each song a new twist. The result? Every track overflows with an amazing energy. Mixed skilfully together by Bob Sinclar, one listen is enough to convince you that this is an irresistible selection of amazing positive vibes.

And from there we hit 2008, and Bob Sinclar is poised to take over the dancefloors again with his next seminal hit with vocalist Steve Edwards, "Together". We tracked this international man of mystery down and asked him about his latest sonic sensation.

Nocturnal: So where are you based now?
Bob: I’ve been in LA and it’s amazing. It’s such a different lifestyle there and a different atmosphere, so different to Europe. They are all into R&B and Hip Hop.

Nocturnal: Has that inspired you and made you change direction?
Bob: It is inspiring but I haven’t changed musical direction, I always draw the line between Hip Hop and House. I come from Hip Hop and I am into Dance music too so when I go to LA it’s always good because I get to see so many things.

Nocturnal: What is the message behind your new record Together?
Bob: The song is all about sharing moments together. If we do things together, better things will happen. At the moment we don’t really talk to people because of text and email we don’t share emotion, we don’t meet each other. Our knowledge can pass down to the younger generations. We have to be together, we don’t care about the colour of people or religion. To be stronger we have to share.

Nocturnal: How important is it for you to communicate this positive message?
Bob: It’s what we need at the moment. I make music because I need it. When I’m in the studio I have to feel that kind of emotion so I can keep going and I always think there must be people out there wanting the same thing. I just produce what I feel. With music we have the power to preach and as a DJ you are just like a preacher. If you have something to say, why not say it with music.

Nocturnal: How was it working with Steve Edwards again?
Bob: I love to work with him it’s been amazing how we write. We have such strong messages in the songs and people love those messages. I always told Steve to keep up the vibe in the lyrics and that I would supply the best instrumental I could. So there’s a lot of melancholy and emotion.

Nocturnal: Have your children affected your music?
Bob: Of course, they are the first audience. If they don’t like it its very important because they are very innocent and have an instant reaction with a true judgement. The young generations are listening to my music and dance music in general. The internet allows music and the message to spread faster than ever and ‘You Tube’ allows kids to make videos and really get involved.

Nocturnal: Who came up with the idea for the video?
Bob: I did, we filmed in eight different countries and there are some beautiful moments. I added the kids singing in the video to the track to get some interaction. My son is in it, and Steve Edward’s children are too. It was a great experience.

Nocturnal: The sound of the track is similar to ‘World Hold On’, is there a reason for this?
Bob: I kept a similar bass line because people loved ‘World Hold On.’ I wanted to repeat the same vibe on a couple of the tracks for the ‘Sounds of Freedom’ album. People love the way I mix acoustic with Hip Hop and House beats. It’s nice to have a signature in your production, and I really wanted to keep the same emotion.

::: Related Links

::: www.bobsinclar.com

::: www.myspace.com/bobsinclar

::: www.defected.com