Reggae fans in the Maryland/Washington DC area are familiar with Tony Roy, who has made that region his stomping ground for over 25 years. With the success of his two previous songs, the singer has expanded his base.

Those songs, Flying Machine and I’d Love You to Want Me, did well on reggae charts in South Florida. The latter is a cover of American singer Lobo’s 1972 hit, while Flying Machine was originally done by British star Cliff Richard.

“Since then, a lot of people have reached out to me. I’m really satisfied with what’s going on right now,” said Tony Roy, who recently performed at a Juneteenth event in Sacramento, California.

He continues that trend with There is Something on Your Mind, a song originally done by American saxophonist/singer Big Jay McNeely. Jamaican singer Hubert Lee had a well-received reggae version in the early 1970s.

Roy says making the song your own is the key to covering another artiste’s music.

“As a singer, you are supposed to know your range. And you should choose songs that fit your range and style,” he said.

Like I’d Love You to Want Me and Flying Machine, There is Something on Your Mind is produced by Wayne Holness, who also played keyboards and bass. Roy is the song’s executive producer, with guitarist Ragnar Rochester, Joslyn McKenzie (drums and percussion), Walter Tates Jr (saxophone) and Maria Smith on backing vocals, completing its cast.

Tony Roy is from St Thomas. He has lived in Maryland since the 1990s, and is one of that state’s most visible reggae acts.

— Howard Campbell