SINGER Kevin Isaacs is promoting his latest project, a five-track EP titled If You Leave.

Isaacs produced all the songs (If You Leave, A Message, Come On Home, Revolutionist and Dad) for his Kevin Isaacs Music Production label. Released digitally on October 25, he says the mini-set has “uplifting messages and love songs with one specially dedicated to my dad”, ‘Dad’ is the late lovers rock singer Gregory Isaacs. Kevin Isaacs told the Jamaica Observer that his father was a big influence on his career, teaching him humility, the importance of being well-read and writing songs with sweet melodies.

“He was my idol,” said Isaacs. Gregory Isaacs, the Cool Ruler, died in 2010 in London, England.

If You Leave, meanwhile, is the follow-up to Kevin Isaacs’ song, Girl of My Dreams, produced by Kingpin Productions from England. A duet with singer Rosie Bee, it was released in February.

Isaacs, now 35, says he has been hooked on music since he was eight years old. His first song, Thought we Were Friends, was done at age 13.

“My first break came about when I recorded Border; it was a cover of my dad’s song. It gave me exposure in America,” he said.

The relative success of Border opened doors for the younger Isaacs and led to his 2000 debut album, Father and Son, done with his father on the Maritime label.

Although there are inevitable comparisons with his ‘old man’, Kevin Isaacs insists he strives for an identifiable sound. It is a sound that can be heard on If You Leave.

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston