Artist Name: The Love Circle
Birth Name: Isaac Nehilet Marge Eldon & Mom
Birth Place and Date: Piparo, Trinidad, W.I.
Official Bio
Since their inception in 1981, The Love Circle has earned a reputation as one of the most outstanding musical families in Trinidad and Tobago. The late great Ras Short I (Garfield Blackman), the founder of The Love Circle and father of the musical genres of "Soca" and "Jamoo", has left a legacy of musical creativity that is hard to emulate (on any level). This, combined with the extra-ordinary musical talent of group members, has put The Love Circle on the cutting edge of musical culture in the Caribbean.
Today, the group is made up of the youngest children of the Blackman family, Isaac, Nehilet, Marge, Eldon, Sheldon and their mother Claudette Blackman. 'Multi-talented' is the term that best describes the group as each member plays at least two instruments and to top it off they each have a vocal range that would give the likes of Erykah Badu and Sting stiff competition. Their creativity and innovative musical style has brought new dimensions to the culture of Trinidad and Tobago and the greater Caribbean. Excellence in music innovation and delivery is their creed.
'Jamoo', the musical style performed by the group, delivers a Christian message over Trinidadian, African, Indian, and various other World rhythms. The music seeks to amplify love, to explore the ills of society (drug abuse, AIDS and oppression) and endeavors to provide solutions through meaningful Bible-based lyrics.
Early CDs by the group include "Jamoo Victory", and "Children of the Jamoo Journey". In 2003 the group released "Home Grown". Under the production expertise of Isaac Blackman, this digital masterpiece helped take "Jamoo" to a whole new level.
Homegrown is a clever collection of songs written and performed by the sons, daughters and widow of the legendary Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman), the inventor of soca music. This rustic compilation combines rootsy, acoustic jamoo sounds with syncopated digital urban beats. Jamoo is the gospel of soca -- a unique blend of calypso, East Indian and African rhythms, with elements of folk, reggae, jazz and blues. Fresh from the backyard of the Blackmans, this labor of love is packed with rich vocal textures and lush harmonies, a showcase of the tremendous talents of this musical family.
Produced by Isaac Blackman, the youngest of 23 musical children from Garfield Blackman, this project transitions the raw jamoo rhythms initially created in the remote Trinidadian jungle of Piparo into the more palatable and refined urban beats of their new studio in the fast-paced city of Tunapuna. This "Homegrown" offering gives you an intimate look into the hearts and souls of the first musical family of Trinidad and Tobago. This is 100% Jamoo, (Jehovah's Music) at its best!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF RAS SHORTY I AND THE LOVE CIRCLE GO TO:
http://www.gospelreggae.com/articles/all/78da4b020000630063/detail.html
Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com
(With Isaac Blackman, the current leader of the Love Circle)
GR: Before we get started Isaac, is there anything that you would like to share with us?
IB: Yes, that I am the leader of my family band, the Love Circle and that I am honored to have my mother here with me in this group. And that I am currently in the kitchen cooking up fat beats and tough music--so brace yourself!
GR: Would those beats be Jamoo?
IB: Yes, Jehovah's Music--Jamoo! Twenty-five Years ago my father came to Christ, change his life and went from being a soca superstar to starting his own family band. Over the years we have shared this music throughout the Caribbean and the rest of the world. It is my mission as the youngest in the family to continue his legacy.
GR: Tell us about yourself as a child, what your family is like, etc...
IB: I really had a beautiful childhood growing up. The first memory that I have is playing in concert before of thousands of people! I was brought up different from your average kid. By the time I reached six years old I already had the experience of a 16 year old! I was raised in the arts and on the Word. I lived in a godly home, where I really understood the principles of righteous. This helped to stabilize my character and define who I am today.
GR: What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Father growing up that you still apply today?
IB: There are so many... I guess that I am called to be a light in this World-- to stand for righteousness. I have a responsibility to the people that listen to my works... and everything that I say and do must represent God's light and truth.
GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist in the world (living or dead) who would it be?
IB: Hmm... there are a few -- U2; I grew up listening to them, Sting; I love his music, more recently, Alicia Keys. I also really liked DC Talk growing up and would love to share the stage with them. And Bob Marley if he was alive.
GR: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one? Now, if that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an old friend and only had enough time to play them one of your songs on CD, which one would you play them?
IB: I wouldn't play it for them on CD, I would sing it for them. It would probably be "Spiritual Elevation," I really like that song. But it's hard to answer that question because I appreciate all of my songs in a different ways.
GR: What were the last 5 CDs that you put in your disc changer?
IB: Koen Duncan, Floetry, Jill Scott, Avion Blackman and Eldon Blackman, just to call a few.
GR: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?
IB: Definitely Psalm 139 verse 14, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God," I sing about this in my song "Always Remember."
GR: I love that song! What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?
IB: I really look up to Solomon. I love reading his Proverbs. Even though in the end of his life he showed himself as an imperfect man, the love fact that the one thing that he asked God for was wisdom. This fuels my everyday life. The Bible says to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Solomon's life shows that this verse is true.
GR: What do you have to say about (or to) artists that started off in the Christian industry (CBA) doing gospel music and now sing secular (mainstream) with a watered down, or ambiguous message?
IB: God judges the intent of man's heart and different people have different methods of sharing the light. I wouldn't judge, but would prove all things and hold on tight to what is good and righteous
GR: As Christians, God is of course our true inspiration, but beyond the generic response of "Jesus," what are your muses in your life (for lack of a better word)? For example, what are the people, places, or things that trigger a fresh musical idea and ultimately a new song for you?
IB: Just give me five minutes of silence and the music will start playing loud in heart.
GR: What career goal did you abandon for music?
IB: I was a jeweler, making bamboo necklaces, but always found myself leaving the workshop for the studio, and eventually I left the workshop for good, and it paid off in a big way. That was one of the best career decisions that I have ever made.
GR: Name one thing that fans do not know about you.
IB: Plenty... but if I name it they would know it now!
GR: Name something personal that gives you great satisfaction.
IB: My heart, my music and my family
GR: What has been your lowest moment so far in life?
IB: After I lost my father in the year 2000
GR: What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of?
IB: Many, but I really enjoyed playing at a place called Momo's in Piccadilly Square in England.
GR: What country would you tour (even if you didn't get paid to perform)?
IB: Egypt
GR: What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the average show?
IB: I focus and pray. I ask God to use me as an instrument of light. I pray that God would open the hearts and minds of the people so that they can receive what I want to share with them.
Ministry
"We are dedicated to changing the culture of our age through the examples of our lives. We have set out to amplify love, promote family unity, minister and share the positive message of God through the power of the spirit of our music in Jesus' name."--The Love Circle
Discography
The Love Circle, Christmas With the Blackmans (2004).
The Love Circle, Home Grown, Jamoo GoodNews Ltd. (2003).
Various Artists, Trinidad World Music, Rituals Music (2000).
The Love Circle, Jamoo Victory, Jamoo GoodNews Ltd. (1999).
The Love Circle, Children of The Jamoo Journey, Jamoo GoodNews Ltd. (1999).
The Love Circle, Watch Out My Children, Jamoo GoodNews Ltd. (1989) Out of Print.
The Love Circle is also featured on:
Mark Mohr and Christafari, Gravitational Dub (Destination: Dub Central Station), Lion of Zion Ent. (2005).
Various Artists, The Gathering - Trinidad & Tobago, Lion of Zion Ent. (2004).
Mark Mohr and Christafari, Gravity, Lion of Zion Ent. (2003).
Various Artists, Raggamuffin Hip Hop 2, Lion of Zion Ent. (2003).
Various Artists, Soca Baptism, Lion of Zion Ent. (2002).
Various Artists, Reggae Redemption Songs, Lion of Zion Ent. (2002).
Sheldon Blackman, Remember Me, Jamoo Goodnews Ltd.
Concerts
There are currently no upcoming events listed.
Contact / Booking:
(868) 770-4221
(868) 795-4541
(868) 750-2436
The Blackman Family
#2 Lovers Lane
Tunapuna
Port of Spain
Trinidad, W.I.
Official EMail:
lovecircle@yahoo.com
Official Website:
http://www.sheldonblackman.com/the_love_circle.htm
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