We are really nice people, we area a really happy people - indeed we are and we are also a cosmopolitan society that saw one Garfield Blackman aka Lord Shorty and then Ras Shorty I set the stage for a musical format that has captivated our homeland, Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and many parts of the World. Yes, we are talking about Sweet Soca Music.
Today we feature the music of Isaac Blackman, one of Lord Shorty's famous Jamoo music children. Jamoo music is the evolution of Soca music and a music that on one (to date) has claimed as their own. It belongs to the children of Ras Shorty I. Just as he did with Soca he accomplished the same with Jamoo music. Now his children have continued the journey with Isaac leading the charge.
Many people have criticized those who say that Lord Shorty created Soca music. One of their chief claims is that Shorty claimed to have used Indian elements of Trinidad's music and fused it with the African (Calypso) music to create Soca. Some have said yes he created SoKah (as in chutney Soca) but not Soca. Now we all know that Sokah and Soca are carry the same meaning. The 'Soul of Calypso Music' not a combination of Soul and Calypso.
What many have failed to come to terms with is the fact that the original Soca Music has changed tremendiously since it was first started by Lord Shorty. He changed the accent of Calypso, gave it an uptempo beat and created a class of music that has been added to, changed and enhanced by many - but he is the source from which it all came. No one is saying that Soca music, as we know it today, is the creation of Lord Shorty... NO! Too many people have had input in the music but the foundation that the house was built on was done by Isaac Blackman's father.
People like Maestro, King Wellington, Mighty Shadow, Lord Kitchener, Calypso Rose, Crazy, Lord Nelson Ed Watson, Art De Couteau, Frankie Mc Intosh, Becket and Arrow to name a few have had so much impact on the music that we still call Soca today. Always remember who had the concept, named the music, put out the first Soca track and Album and taught the World how it was done with Vibrations Groove - Lord Shorty!
Isaac Blackman pays tribute to his father's song 'Sweet Music' with a song titled 'Sweet Music (The Tribute). When you listen to the music you will immediately realize that Isaac went back to the concept of the Dougla Rhythm with the sounds of both major cultures easily heard on this track; not only in terms of the music but also the lyrics. This is a lesson in taking the music 'back to the future'. There is something haunting about the way Isaac sings this song and the combination of the music cultures makes this track very special. Both Worlds have combined once again and it took another Blackman to show us the way!
Please be advised that the music is presented here for your listening pleasure and for promotional purposes only ("Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976). Lend me your ears... Enjoy!
♫ Please press the play button to listen (small triangle below).Sweet Music (The Tribute) - Isaac Blackman