CJJ: So I must say start off by saying, I am one of your biggest fans! I have been a faithful FLAME supporter since your first self-titled debut project in 2004. I’m always looking forward to your projects, so when I found out that you were dropping another one you could imagine the excitement I felt! Tell me about your upcoming release. What is it titled?

FLAME: Thanks for your support bro. It’s always cool to connect with fans that have been with you since day 1. Well, my next album is set to release March 6th and is titled, “The 6th.”

CJJ: “The 6th?” That’s an interesting title. What made you decide to name it that?

FLAME: I decided to name it ‘The 6th’ for two reasons. The first is quite simple: it’s my 6th album, and the second reason is because the project explores the 6th day of creation when God created man.

CJJ.: Wow! I can’t believe we are on number 6 with you already. You’ll have a Greatest Hits album in no time! Before we get into some of the issues you address on the album, tell me about this album cover. It’s HOT by the way!

FLAME: Aww man, I appreciate that bro! Barton killed it. During the brainstorming process, all I knew was that I wanted a large number 6, a white background, and a cover that had meaning. As you can see the number 6 is made up of many symbolic elements. Since the project is a study of anthropology (the study of mankind) from a Christian perspective, each element represents a crucial aspect of the personality of humanity. The tree with the fruits represents the garden of Eden. It is here where our first parents, Adam and Eve, were placed by God. It also signifies sin entering into our world. The arrow and the sign symbolizes entertainment. The heart on the side stands for love. The Bible states in 1 John 4:8 that, “God is love.” It is through God demonstrating His love through His Son Jesus that anyone has hope. The radio symbolizes media and its influence in our culture. The vault filled with money and gold represents greed and the love of money. This is often a core motivation for people in life. The Bible states in 1 Timothy 6:10 that, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…”  It is also a necessity for all to function. Lastly, the doves symbolize hope and the Spirit of God. It is through His ministry that persons are drawn to God and are enabled to repent of sin and to receive forgiveness.

CJJ: Give my props to Barton. It’s cool to see him put all those elements together in such an attractive way! Tell me more about what to expect on this album content wise.

FLAME: Well, I guess I’ll give you the long version!  With ‘The 6th’ being the study of mankind, we must consider our origin. Humans were created on the 6th day. It is then that God deposited purpose and meaning into our being. He made us in His image and likeness. We were made to reflect His characteristics, to rule, and to represent Him. We were designed to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. However, humanities representative, Adam, disobeyed God and caused Him to act in judgement. All peoples are now born into a sinful state and rebel against God in our attitudes and actions. I explore this throughout the album with the study of our nature, our human culture, our behaviors, habits, and world views. God makes it clear that apart from Him, man’s quality of life is so abase and pathetic that it will only lead to our ruin and eventually eternal judgement. Nevertheless, God loves us so much that He sends His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for our sin with His life. It is through Him that we can be forgiven of our transgressions and be rescued from the curse of sin and judgment.

CJJ: What do you want people to take away from ‘The 6th?’

FLAME: I want people to listen to this album and see that Jesus and His ways are better and that we should choose them above all things. Even though, as a human race, we have gotten amazingly far from God’s original agenda and design, yet still, in Christ we can return to that purpose. ‘The 6th’ serves as a reminder that God has our best interest in mind. Yet, it is only realized in an on going relationship with His Son, Jesus, the GodMan. Jesus provides a quality of life that no one can compete with. There is unexplainable joy in the Son! Through Christ we can now revisit and relive the experience that God intended on the 6th day of our creation. In the Son, Paradise lost becomes Paradise restored and enhanced! Through Him Christians are progressively recovering from the fall. In heaven, we will experience a greater and fully completed restoration of the original intention of the 6th day of creation.

CJJ: I like that! ‘Paradise lost becomes Paradise restored and enhanced!’ I can’t wait until March 6th! Thanks for your time.

Source: Clear Sight Music