Eighteen years ago, roots singer Winston Flags had a life-changing experience when he lost his sight to glaucoma. It was the only time in his life that he thought about giving up music.

But the South Florida-based artiste gradually realised that writing and recording songs were therapeutic and he returned to singing in 2011. His latest songs are Bossman and World is on Fire.

Both songs were originally written and recorded by Flags over 30 years ago. They were re-recorded and produced by Neville Thompson for Buffalo Records and Courtney “Blemo” Crichton’s Intelitec Muzik.

“Is message music, yuh nuh, timeless music an’ dat’s what wi believe in from wi start dis thing. These songs still relevant,” he said.

Born Winston Smith, Flags has lived in South Florida for nearly 40 years. He started his career in his native Montego Bay, singing in hotels and clubs like Disco Inferno with the Future Wind band which performed at Reggae Sunsplash in 1979.

While losing his vision “change mi mindset”, he knew it was only a matter of time before he returned to music.

“Is a thing mi find dat mi love, ’cause it jus’ come naturally. Music is a part of mi an’ is not no monetary thing, is jus’ a natural part of mi,” he said.

It was Crichton, another Montego Bay-born, who encouraged Flags to resume recording and ended up producing several of his comeback songs which also include Praise Jah and Time Tough.

“It was great working with Blemo, wi had a good thing going. It’s jus’ unfortunate dat him pass on,” said Flags.

— Howard Campbell