User:Collin Barlow/sandbox

Colin Paul Barlow, born 28th September 1966 in Cambridge.

Colin Barlow joined CBS Records in 1983 at 17 years old as a talent scout. He had his first hit record with Owen Paul's "Your Favourite Waste Of Time" which sold over 250,000 copies. As a talent scout he brought in Terence Trent Darby who became one of the biggest artists of the late 80's selling 15 million albums. He then went onto join Warner Brothers in 1986. He A&R'd "Love" by Aztec Camera which became a huge platinum album, He signed "Hustle To The Music" by Funky Warm which was a number 1 dance record in the U.K. and U.S. He made a critically acclaimed debut album "Corporate World" by Gail Ann Dorsey, who would go on to become David Bowie's band mate and much referred artist / musician. He signed Harriet Roberts whose "Temple Of Love" was a big U.S. R&B / Pop radio hit in the Top 20. Barlow joined Polygram Music Publishing in 1991. He brought into publishing, East 17, Dina Carroll and Omar whose hit "There's Nothing Like This" was a big copyright. He helped develop Wild Card label within the publishing company with Lucian Grainge. Went on to sign publishing and records with the Lighthouse Family who went onto become one of the biggest acts in the U.K. selling over 5 million albums. This included huge hit singles "Lifted" and "High". He signed China Black whose "Searchin" was a huge 300+ selling single. Skeelo "I Wish I Was A Little Bit Taller" another huge single. In 1995 he moved to Polydor Records. Barlow ran Polydor with David Joseph in a period when the label was the undisputed Number 1 label in the U.K. for nearly 8 years, overseeing acts breaking such as, Eminem, Queens of the Stone Age, Nelly Furtado, Black Eyed Peas, The Saturdays, N Dubz, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Le Roux, Klaxons, Kaiser Chiefs, Monster, Ordinary Boys and Alesha Dixon. He A&R'd Boyzone throughout their 5 albums, selling over 10 million albums and numerous number 1 singles. Signed Samantha Mumba who had U.K. and U.S. global success on her debut album. Worked with Ronan Keating on 4 albums. His debut album was one of the biggest selling debut albums by a solo male with "Rollercoaster" and "You Say Nothing At All" singles. Signed and worked on Popstars the Rivals winners Girls Aloud. They became the biggest U.K. girl group with millions of records sold with 5 number 1 singles. He signed Yussif Islam [Cat Stevens] and went on to have tremendous success with his platinum return to the music business with "Cup Of Tea". Signed James Morrison who had a million selling debut album which went on to have an incredible successful second album, with huge hit "Broken Strings". Alex Parks from Fame Academy [2] worked on the second show and made her platinum album from the show. Yeah Yeah Yeah's signed to Polydor and become one of the most iconic bands of a generation. Elbow, Snow Patrol and Scissor Sisers all signed with Polydor and delivered ground breaking records.