After more than six decades in the music industry, Winston Dias continues to create meaningful art, now drawing inspiration from his closest family members. The veteran vocalist recently released a heartfelt cover of “Let’s Keep it That Way” following encouragement from his wife Kathleen and daughter Georgia, who recognized the song’s special resonance with his vocal style and personal story.
Dias recorded the self-produced track at Willie Lindo’s Heavy Beat studio in South Florida, marking his first solo release in several years. The project represents a departure from his recent work as lead singer of the legendary rocksteady harmony trio The Melodians, returning to his roots as a solo performer.
The musical journey to this release spans multiple genres and continents. Dias first established himself in the early 1960s with the ska hit “Cericy Tea” before migrating to Canada in 1968, where he became an integral part of Toronto’s reggae scene for a decade. His career also includes a tenure with the iconic soul group The Drifters before joining The Melodians alongside founder Trevor McNaughton and Taurus Alphonso.
Dias’s connection to “Let’s Keep it That Way” runs deep, having admired the song since its original 1977 recording by American country singer Tanya Tucker. The ballad has since been interpreted by various artists including Mac Davis, Anne Murray, and reggae performer Boris Gardiner, but Dias brings his own distinctive interpretation to the timeless piece.
The newly released recording, distributed by Tad’s International Record, stands as testament to Dias’s enduring musical passion and the supportive creative environment fostered by his family after 55 years of marriage.