"Reset" by Isaac Carree View All Reviews

Let’s get this straight: Isaac Carree has sung with the likes of John P. Kee and Hezekiah Walker, was in the group Men of Standard, currently sings with Kirk Franklin and still has time to be a solo artist? Yes to all of the above. 

Isaac is not stopping.  A man who has acknowledged his own mistakes, Isaac releases the properly titled Reset.  This offering has a slightly more urban edge than his previous solo effort, but Isaac’s voice really is right for R&B/urban styled music. 

He whet the appetite of his fans with the release of his first single "Clean This House," which chronicles a man acknowledging his "stuff" and asking for God’s cleansing. R. Kelly (yes that R. Kelly) is featured on the remix, and he and Isaac trade off with fervor and passion. Like him or not, R. Kelly has a way of channeling a certain desperation and cry out to God. Honestly, this song actually sounds more like an R. Kelly song than an Isaac Carree song.

To go along with the theme of starting anew, Isaac allows R&B artists Reka Brown, Mike Jay "MJ" Jimenez and Joe to do their own vocal interpretation on "Reset" I, II and III, respectively. The vocals are smooth and well done by each artist. 

What you will not find on Reset is an album full of songs with deep metaphorical meanings. However, these are songs that the common man will be able to identify with. Isaac’s voice has always had a youthfulness that draws both the young and young at heart. Enjoy his “butter” vocals and background vocal arrangements on "Never" while also being inspired to do more on the adult-contemporary "Make His Name Famous." 

For "So Glad" he invites his mentor Kirk Franklin along with Lecrae and Kierra Sheard to basically do what they do best. This song has a hip hop edge, and it is getting play on sites such as Rapzilla.com and DaSouth.com. It is a definite candidate for the anthem of the summer. Underrated Twyse adds clever punch lines to "Knock Knock." This is a song that is calling people to ask Jesus into their heart, and it’s cool to hear this as an upbeat jam that could be a celebratory invitation at a concert. That would be different! 

During church services, when the pastor says something enriching that "hits home" or "steps on toes," there will be cries from the congregation to the pastor "you better preach!" An "aha moment" comes as Isaac makes this into a song. Slow and chill is the style while the call and response of the chorus is similar to what happens in church. Here’s the chorus: "He forgave me ‘Preach!’ / Then he delivered me…’Preach!’ / Then he saved me ‘Preach!’ / He’s a doctor…’Preach!’ / And a provider…’Preach!’ / He is everything you need Him to be / You better preach! Preach! Say that word!”

Isaac invites one of his favorite singers, Leandria Johnson, to duet with him on the churchy ballad "Blessing In Your Lesson." The title is a little cliché, but the honest testimony and transparency of Leandria Johnson helps to drive home a big point: God will help people out of what they feel is their worst trial or mistake. Kevin Lemmons and Higher Calling do a wonderful job singing without it being too busy. 

Two of my favorite songs are the swingy "But God" featuring James Fortune and Right Now. Guitars, potent vocals and organ all add to the latter song of declaration. “But God” is infectious vocally and musically. The message is there of course, but musicians will get excited over the horns, keys, drums and organs. Isaac is "sangin' his behind off" (please don’t try to get a visual; slang does not always make sense).

Closing Thoughts:
Reset is a rather enjoyable album of declaration, redemption and starting anew. Although obviously urban in direction, it does veer into pop and Gospel territories also. He has two bonus tracks for those who buy it from Wal-mart, and another bonus track via iTunes. Whether it is a big or small issue, everyone should always invite God to mold him or her. 

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