For Brian Holt, revisiting his father’s music brings back memories of being a little boy in the recording studio listening as reggae legend John Holt sang.

Sometimes, his father would slip the headphones over his ears and tell him to remain quiet.

Those intimate moments helped nurture a love for music that Brian is now channelling into a project celebrating his father’s catalogue while introducing his own material.

The Jamaican-born singer, who lives in Hartford, Connecticut, is preparing to release a new version of
The Tide Is High in November 2026.

An EP is also planned for November, followed by a 12- to 13-track album in 2027.

“I chose The Tide Is High because it was a major hit song for my father,” Brian explained.

Working with Whatage Music, he intends to retain the spirit of the original while introducing updated reggae arrangements.

A music video is being planned for December.

Brian grew up in Kingston but disclosed that his interest in performing developed during high school in Hartford, where he and friends gathered around a small sound system to sing and deejay. He later made appearances alongside his father at shows across the north-eastern US.

Following his father’s death, Brian recorded Lost Dad, turning his dad’s Lost Love into a personal tribute. He has also sought to preserve his father’s legacy on stage and has performed at tribute concerts in memoriam across the US and in Jamaica.

Through the upcoming project, Brian hopes to give long-time fans another connection to his father’s music while encouraging younger listeners to discover its messages of love and positivity.

Now balancing music with raising children of his own, Brian credits his wife, Latoya, with encouraging his ambitions. He said he is taking vocal lessons, writing original songs, and concentrating on improving each recording.

— Shereita Grizzle