(Photo :Isaac Carree )

Like family members fighting for the control of the TV remote, both guilt and forgiveness clamor for the remote of our lives.  Except that they are far from being family.  Guilt hordes for the "replay" button trying to replay the scenes of our shame, sins and failures incessantly in our minds.  Forgiveness, on the other hand, presses the "erase" problem washing away our past, giving us a second chance to re-start again.  This is the theme of Isaac Carree's "Rest" album:  where Satan would slam all the doors of hope, God gives us the second chance sin denies.  Carree began his singing career some twenty odd years ago as a celebrated soloist of John P. Kee and New Life Community Choir.  After that, he co-founded the group Men of Standard which has had released 5 albums producing hits such as "Trust in God" and "In Your Will." In 2011 Carree released his solo debut record "Uncommon Man" to great critical and commercial successes.   The project's hit single, "In the Middle," peaked at #1 at Gospel radio, where it remained for 8 consecutive weeks. "Uncommon Me" also earned Carree the prestigious Stellar Award for Producer of the Year, along with four more nominations, including Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.

"Reset" is one hefty album that boasts a long red carpet of luminaries such as Hip Hop/R&B icons R. Kelly and Joe, Christian rapper Lecrae and fellow Gospel greats such as James Fortune, Nika, Kierra Shead, Le'Andria Johnson and Twyse.  But the vertex of this disc lies not in its star-studden line up but the songs.  Already sweeping Gospel radio by storm is the top 10 hit "Clean This House."  Part of the buzz is that it is co-written by R. Kelly.  R. Kelly, as fans may know, has a Jekyll and Hyde personality.  Yes, he has been known for his testosterone-hyped songs such as "The Zoo" or "Bump N' Grind," but he's been known for crafting some of the most soulful Gospel ballads such as Whitney Houston's "I Look to You."  "Clean his House" has that typical R. Kelly "I Believe I Can Fly" emotional punch that contains one of the most honest confessions to God for a complete makeover in one's lives.  We can all identify with Carree when he sings, "I said if you got me out that last situation/I wouldn't do it again/what can I say but I'm only human and Lord here I stand."

The R. Kelly influence continues with the smooth R&B keyboard-driven ballad "Lifestyle."  Proving that he's more than just a simulacrum of R. Kelly, Carree really nails this ballad with his gorgeous tenor.  Easily destined to be a huge hit is the pop- sounding "Famous." Speaking of giving Jesus the star treatment in every aspect of our lives, "Famous" puts a new spin to the Biblical theme of glorifying Christ in all we do.  "Knock Knock," on the other hand, shows that the music of Carree transcends trends and genres.  Juggling together a classical violin, Jamaican reggae swirl and rapping from Twyse, "Knock Knock" is an innovative attempt to bring out the message that Jesus never gives up on us.  The Revelation 21 imbued "Paradise" combines the traditional church sounds of the organ with fresh sultry beats expressing Carree's longing for heaven and Christ's coming.

Like a convention of who's who in Gospel music is "So Glad" which features heavy weights such as Lecrae, Kirk Franklin and Kierra Shead.  Unfortunately, this Gospel event is let down by the tune which is somehow devoid of a hook.  The same disappointment greets Carree's duet with James Fortune's "But God."  "Reset," nevertheless, is a much anticipated record that is going to cause a splash on the music scene.  But thank God for Carree --- instead of going the secular route as some of his peers have done, he has kept this record squarely focused on God.   And for those of us who have bought into Satan's lies that all is ruined because of sin, it's time to give the remote control back to God and press "reset."