Fran's Blog

Many moons ago my ambition was to work on A&R for a record company. Way back in 1996 I decided to apply to some record companies to do work experience. Acid jazz, one of my favourite record labels of the time answered my call and I spent a few weeks working in their warehouse and offices in Hoxton Square. Life began at this point. I ended up going to the Blue Note on the guest list and helping on radio shows run by Eddie Piller who is a bit of a hero of mine. I spent many years going back to them to see how everyone was until I started working, then it became trickier.

Anyway, in this magical time, there was a programme launched to try and get some great talent into the company. One day I stepped into Ed’s office and he had just been listening to a demo tape of a group called Torino. I thought it was a new Jamiroquai track, it was really very good. I went to some live shows by them to promote the band at nights like The Magic Bus. It was exciting. Then, they disappeared. I’ve never quite been sure about the full story, but I think the singer 2E left and there was a cock up with the master tapes leaving the original demo that I had heard with 2 songs. I always listen to these songs and think what could have been. Searching for them usually brings up some other lesser group with the same name. Oh well.

Torino – Sun is on my mind: [audio:http://blog.whoisfrancisgilbert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/14-Sun-Is-On-My-Mind.mp3|titles=Torino Sun Is On My Mind]
(15 years of lost and found rarities)

Torino – It don’t bother me: [audio:http://blog.whoisfrancisgilbert.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/10-It-Dont-Bother-Me.mp3|titles=10 It Dont Bother Me]
(Totally Wired Series 2 Vol 2)