DURING the 1990s, teenage reggae singer Singing Sweet shot to the top of the local charts with his cover versions of When I See You Smile and Donna.

The latter a Richie Valens original, while When I See You Smile was an international smash hit for rock band Bad English.

However, just as Singing Sweet was emerging as a staple on the scene, he migrated to the United States.

Now in his 30s, the singer is hoping re-establish his presence in the country of his birth. He said during his absence from the local scene, he did a few gigs.

“I was always performing on the international scene. I’ve done shows across the United States, in the Caribbean and in Europe,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Currently with the Big Ship label, Singing Sweet — whose given name is Paul McFarlane — has a few releases out.

They include It Nuh Easy and When You, produced by Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor.

He also recently released One More Day In the Slum, a combination with roots-reggae singer Kibaki Pyramid on the Chimney Record label.

“I have been receiving some positive feedback from this song,” he said.

Singing Sweet shared his musical direction.

“I will still be doing some covers. But right now, I want to push more original materials,” he said.

Hailing from the tough inner-city community of Grant’s Pen, he said he was drawn to music by his parents who were always singing around the house. He got his break in 1991 on Fattis Burrell’s Xterminator label with Lonely is The Night. Although the track wasn’t a runaway hit locally, it opened the door for his career.

Singing Sweet will be performing on Flexxx Birthday Bash at the Baron’s Plaza on Eastwood Park Road in St Andrew on Sunday.

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston