{"title":"John Holt","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Holt was a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter, born on July 11, 1947 (or possibly 1942 or 1945 according to some sources) in Kingston, Jamaica. He gained international recognition for his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. His music resonated with audiences worldwide and he became known as one of the pioneers of reggae music. Sadly, John Holt passed away on October 20, 2014 in London, England, UK. Despite his untimely death, his legacy lives on through his timeless music.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"3000-volts-of-holt-1","title":"3000 Volts Of Holt","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003e3000 Volts of Holt\u003c\/i\u003e album was the third in a series of records that launched John Holt into the UK charts in the 1970’s. To say that every home had a copy of a \u003ci\u003e1000 Volts \u003c\/i\u003eand many \u003ci\u003e2000 Volts of Holt \u003c\/i\u003emight be an overstatement but it certainly felt that way, as all good radio stations and parties seemed to have these tracks on permanent rotation.\u003ci\u003e3000 Volts of Holt \u003c\/i\u003ewas the more roots sounding of the three albums but still carried that sweetened string sound that set these recordings together. This album also featured the first recordings that Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare played on together. This is some fine vintage John Holt Magic.Sit back and enjoy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kingston Sounds","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":50389219705163,"sku":"1068176","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50389219836235,"sku":"1068175","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ad76c441-f48f-473e-a67e-f3378db5a08c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726355658"},{"product_id":"500-volts-of-dub","title":"500 Volts Of Dub","description":"\u003cp\u003ecd with two bonus tracks. 1965 to 1970 was john holt's paragon years in a period which he also ran solo with hits such as 'fancy make up', 'a love i can feel' and 'let's build our dreams'. the early to mid 70's saw holt having another wave of hits working with producer bunny lee including the biggest selling hit of jamaica in 1972 'stick by me'. a series of hit albums followed including the 1,000 \/ 2,000 \/ 3,000 volts of john holt sets that were brought to london for 'sweetening' (strings added) with tony ashfield and had massive crossover appeal in the uk and europe culminating in a 1974 christmas hit with kris kristofferson's 'help me make it through the night'. it's from this fruitful period that jamaican recordings have compiled this set of dubs of some of mr holts great vocal outings. jamaican recordings hope you enjoy the set....500 volts of dubbed up magic.....\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50436464017739,"sku":"339568","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50436464443723,"sku":"339569","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ff685b08-01d6-4425-a6ae-5416c40f4bbe_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726917630"},{"product_id":"gold-19","title":"Gold","description":"\u003cp\u003eThree classic albums new to CD. One of Jamaica’s most popular artists. After first making his mark on the Jamaican music scene during the rock steady era, fronting the popular vocal group The Paragons, John Holt became one of the island's most successful solo artists scoring a succession of major hits in a variety of styles for numerous local producers up until the mid-80s.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile many of his contemporaries from the 60s failed to maintain their popularity during the dancehall era, Holt demonstrated his timeless appeal with best-selling records, with his collaborations with Kingston-based hitmaker, Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes, proving particularly fruitful.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe success of this relationship is reflected in the popularity of the ‘Gold’ LP, which topped reggae charts on both sides of the Atlantic in 1982. And it is this hugely chart-topping long- player provides the primary focus of this 2CD set, with the original LP bolstered by a further nine Lawes-produced tracks, their number including 12” mixes of two of Holt’s biggest sellers, ‘Sweetie Come Brush Me’ and ‘Ghetto Queen’.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe second disc provides further evidence of Holt’s enduring appeal, presenting a further two original albums from the early 80s that, like ‘Gold’ make their long overdue CD debut.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Doctor Bird","offers":[{"title":"CDx2","offer_id":50447267692875,"sku":"2213244","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Screenshot_2024-07-26_at_20.29.41_c36dc946_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727074855"},{"product_id":"like-a-bolt","title":"Like a Bolt","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Holt was known as a member of The Paragons, before establishing himself as a solo artist.\u003ci\u003e Like a Bolt\u003c\/i\u003e adds up to all the singer’s output with Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label. When this album was first released in 1973, John Holt was already a veteran in the Jamaican music scene. John wrote most of the songs himself, a different approach from the covers he recorded before. It features a lot of his best work from the early years. His classic voice is backed by a musical landscape full of melodies and rhythms. \u003ci\u003eLike a Bolt\u003c\/i\u003e is a true gem of original reggae. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003eLike a Bolt\u003c\/i\u003e is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Trojan","offers":[{"title":"Orange | LP","offer_id":50452446249291,"sku":"1074677","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b53e9614-34ce-491d-9f09-e3748f0d267b_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727152728"},{"product_id":"before-the-next-tear-drop","title":"Before the Next Tear Drop","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Holt has one of the finest and most versatile voices to come out of Jamaica.Whether fronting the great vocal group 'The Paragons' which he joined around 1965, singing many of their greatest hits including 'Tide is High', 'On the Beach','Wear You to the Ball' to name but a few or his extensive solo career. A career that saw him covering every musical style from Pop, Lovers, Soul and his much overlooked Roots period. John Holt was a child prodigy he began his career being a regular voice on talent contests run by Vera Johns across the Jamaican Island. He cut his first single in 1963 for Leslie Kong's Beverly's label, 'I Cried a Tear \/ Forever I'll Stay' and sang many duets with various singers of the day including 'Rum Bumper' with Aton Ellis. In 1965 to 1970 as stated above was John Holts Paragon years in a period which he also ran solo with hits such as 'Fancy Make Up','A Love I Can Feel' and 'Lets Build Our Dreams'. For this release we are looking at his extremely productive period working with Bunny 'Striker 'Lee. This reissue of John Holts classic 1976 album \u003ci\u003eBefore The Next Tear Drop\u003c\/i\u003e is an album filled with classic after classic sung by Mr Holt effortlessly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kingston Sounds","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50463723389259,"sku":"395673","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50463726469451,"sku":"395672","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3a6ed6e8-daad-4b14-ae0f-e6b44aaebd43_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727265986"},{"product_id":"police-in-helicopter","title":"Police In Helicopter","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Holt, both as a member of the Paragons and as a solo artist, had established himself as the master of pop with a multitude of love, love lost, and other typically pop-themed hit singles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, with \u003cem\u003ePolice in Helicopter\u003c\/em\u003e, the singer reinvented himself as a more contemporary, cultural artist. The title track, a Jamaican smash, set the defiant tone, threatening, \"\u003cem\u003eIf you continue to burn up the herbs, we're going to burn down the cane fields.\u003c\/em\u003e\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLast Train From the Ghetto\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eReality\u003c\/em\u003e are cultural\/Rastafarian statements of intent, while \"\u003cem\u003eI Got Caught\u003c\/em\u003e\" is a warning about the consequences of misdeeds. The Roots Radics provide the rootsy accompaniment, with producer Henry \"Junjo\" Lawes adding his signature deep roots\/dubby production, with that sublime tinge of dancehall which gave the record a totally contemporary sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, Holt didn't totally break with his past, and the rest of the record contains lighter-themed material. Hit-bound \"\u003cem\u003eFat She Fat\u003c\/em\u003e\" and \"\u003cem\u003ePrivate Doctor\u003c\/em\u003e\" were equal to any of the singer's previous classics, only the musical style has changed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, the deepest roots track of all is \"\u003cem\u003eBeach Party\u003c\/em\u003e,\" the perfect thematic follow-up to the Paragons classic \"\u003cem\u003eOn the Beach\u003c\/em\u003e.\" \"\u003cem\u003eI Got Caught\u003c\/em\u003e,\" which one expects to be rootsy, is virtually rocksteady, abetted by the Tamlins' sweet backing vocals and accompanied by a flock of chirping birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLawes also had a field day with the saccharine \"\u003cem\u003eSugar \u0026amp; Spice\u003c\/em\u003e,\" drawing in elements of rocksteady while littering the track with contemporary electro effects. The album is a masterpiece of aural illusion, as the band slide out the fat rhythms and reggae riffs, and Lawes transforms them before our eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeep roots with a twist, wave a wand and, abracadabra, Holt's songs are no longer considered MOR pop, but now appeal to a more serious audience. \u003cem\u003ePolice\u003c\/em\u003e is a true classic album on which a great vocalist and songwriter comes of age.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Greensleeves","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":50464782549323,"sku":"1136973","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50464782090571,"sku":"394610","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0101792c-1bea-4904-bdc9-7c9de1e41871_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727279220"},{"product_id":"essential-artist-collection-john-holt","title":"Essential Artist Collection - John Holt","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter fronting popular Jamaican vocal trio the Paragons on a succession of best-selling rock steady singles during the late Sixties, John Holt went on to become one of Jamaica’s most popular solo performers, scoring a series of reggae hits for many of the island’s leading record producers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis international breakthrough came in 1974 with the hugely popular \u003ci\u003e1000 Volts of Holt\u003c\/i\u003e album, which fused raw reggae rhythms with sophisticated orchestral arrangements. The highlight of the long-player was a reworking of Kris Kristoffersson’s country hit, ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’, which the following year became a global hit, with the single, peaking at Number 6 in the UK charts. Over the years that followed, Holt remained a giant of the reggae scene with further best sellers and numerous sell-out shows around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe very best of his solo work has been brought together on this ‘Essential Artist’ compilation, the latest release in Trojan Records’ newly launched range that showcases the work of Jamaica’s best-loved ‘foundation’ artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvailable as a 28-track double vinyl LP and a comprehensive 2CD compilation, the collection superbly illustrates the talent that made John Holt one of the reggae music’s most popular and enduring singers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Trojan","offers":[{"title":"Orange LP","offer_id":50468498735435,"sku":"2014915","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50468498178379,"sku":"2014914","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Screenshot_2023-03-03_at_09.51.54_dbfc57d4_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727348335"},{"product_id":"john-holt-story-volume-s-3-and-4","title":"John Holt Story Volume's 3 and 4","description":"\u003cp\u003e40 beautiful love songs by John Holt of which most was recorded in the nineteen seventies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost of the songs on the double CDS was recorded using an Orchestra. Graylan Records was the organisation that came up with the concept of which pivoted for the show at the Hammersmith Apollo with the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra in 2003.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBorn in Kingston, Jamaica on 11th July 1945, John Kenneth Holt was one of six children. John grew up in Greenwich Farm, a bustling community situated on the South Western edge of Kingston harbour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe attended Greenwich Primary and later Calabar High School where the desire to sing was awakened within him. Although not a member of the school choir, among his peers John was accepted as a 'singer’ who during the regular school concerts would bring the house down with his voice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Graylan Records","offers":[{"title":"CD | x2","offer_id":50475465605451,"sku":"1130101","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/09c4d640-efe6-48c9-8128-4f93333fd224_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727447148"},{"product_id":"1000-volts-of-holt-1","title":"1000 Volts Of Holt","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe best-selling single artist Trojan album of all time, \u003ci\u003e1000 Volts Of Holts\u003c\/i\u003e set the standard for a new uptown style of reggae by successfully blending raw Jamaican rhythms with highly sophisticated arrangements, courtesy of some of the UK’s leading musical talent. Including the Top 10 UK chart hit, \u003ci\u003eHelp Me Make It Through The Night\u003c\/i\u003e, the collection is widely considered one of the most significant reggae albums of all time, and since its original release in 1973 has consistently sold in in significant numbers to reggae fans of all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLP - Presented in its original iconic artwork, mastered from the best available source and pressed on the finest quality vinyl, this seminal LP is now available once more in for the format for which it was created.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCD - Digitally re-mastered from the original Trojan tapes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Trojan","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50522449903947,"sku":"1011361","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50522450035019,"sku":"334682","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/56f940e4-5687-4a8f-a140-34bae04232f8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728006543"},{"product_id":"peacemaker-6","title":"Peacemaker","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Holt began his career in ska, came to prominence in the Paragons in rock steady and achieved international breakthroughs as a solo roots crooner, remaining versatile in terms of approach and subject matter. \u003ci\u003ePeacemaker\u003c\/i\u003e is an intriguing album of the mid-1990s, this time recorded between Jamaica and the UK with top-class musicians such as Sly and Robbie, Lindel Lewis and Steely of Steely and Clevie fame. With his voice entirely undiminished and a mixture of romance ballads and songs of social commentary, this is another fine collection that will delight all John Holt fans, as well as reggae heads who favour the sentimental.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Radiation Roots","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50524127330635,"sku":"2169711","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/8055515234961_b3b0cb9d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728026513"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_31526fbe_thumbnail_4096_a1729f6f-8fc3-449f-8ce9-18c30cf35dbd.jpg?v=1726355631","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/john-holt.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}