SINGER Ed Robinson salutes rocksteady great John Holt on his new album Tribute to John Holt.

Robinson told this column that the 10-track set was inspired by his love for Holt’s music.

“I had recorded the single Let Your Hair Down with Kemar McGregor, and while we were working on that recording, John Holt had passed away. Kemar suggested we do a song in tribute to John and we eventually decided to do a full album,” he said. “The album is very emotional for me, because I’ve spent a lot of my time making songs that uphold the dignity of the veteran singers like John Holt, and making sure they get the respect they deserve.”

One of Jamaican popular music’s great singers, Holt died on October 20 in London at age 69. He had an illustrious career that covered ska, rocksteady and reggae.

Released on November 11, Tribute to John Holt is Robinson’s seventh studio album. It was produced by McGregor, who has worked with a number of top dancehall/reggae acts as well as American rhythm and blues artistes.

Some of the songs Robinson covered are Sweetie Come Brush Me, Stealing Stealing, The Tide is High, Police in Helicopter and I Want a Love I Can Feel.

“It’s a very modern record – a well-produced record in terms of the technology we used – achieving an acoustic sound in a computerised studio. But at the same time, it’s a very emotional record. I meant this album from the bottom of my soul,” Robinson said.

Originally from St Elizabeth, the New York-based Robinson migrated to the United States 20 years ago. He is best known for his cover of Bob Dylan’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door, which topped several ethnic charts in the US.

Robinson was once signed to MCA Records and Warner Bros Records.

He plans to start promoting Tribute to John Holt in the Caribbean, South America, North America and Europe. A deluxe edition of the album with five bonus tracks is expected to be released shortly.