I was thinking how different this was from the easy listening reggae Holt release (also Jamaican) we listened to but saw that KH produced him early in his career! Just a couple of years before.

This is excellent. Such an innovative sound and decades ahead of its time. Alongside King Tubby who I think developed his dub method independently of KH - took reggae and arguably modern pop in new directions.

Great show Robin.

What a tune! Remember discovering this on free NME CD

Musically I note that piano and drums are quite well integrated into his sound. Again part of his pioneering nature. Died in 1976 so was around longer than I thought.

Brilliant. I think because of his vocal currently Howlin' is my favourite 20th century Blues man. Great songs as well though - lyrically quite good for their time "I asked for water, she gave me gasoline" the irony of "Sittin' on top of the world". Makes up for another compilation.

Peter Gabriel style!

Unusually for the time did not put their singles on the debut album (including one that topped Peel's festive 50 that year). Initially I got this confused with their 1990 album (same title) which was on major label with plusher sound and produced a hit but ultimately a weaker piece of work.

First 80s album for a while. 1988! Glad to hear this again remember my pal played it a lot. Although draws on 60s guitar sounds actually now sounds quite ahead of its time. A few years later lots of bands were playing this style. Christine is great opener but whole album strong.

My big book on global music has an interesting bit comparing JLH's style with West African guitar and composition notably Ali Farke Toure. Inconclusive but you can hear similarities.

Brilliant music (of course) but this is not even a compilation it's a box set! NOT AN ALBUM. You could argue that the old blues men can only be captured this way but JLH recorded quite a few specific albums late in his career with Ry Cooder and others. Choose one of them!

Also Homer Simpson does good version

If you can bear it look for the video of disgraced Kevin Spacey performing this over Xmas in Israel!

The birth pangs of the CD in the 90s!

Reflecting the quite long history of reggae on the UK Charts. The Holt version of Killing Me Softly must have been an influence on Fugees too with their cover 20 years later.

My god the softest of soft reggae (there's even a Cilla Black cover in there) - one listen max. Also compilations are not albums - though I note that this was on the reggae record label of note Trojan strangely. It is a bit of a phenomenon though as Make it through the night was a 1974 top 10 hit!

Good use of obscure Patti Smith sample in Caddell Returns though!

Pretty good - there was a lot of this type of stuff about in late 90s. Though does give impression of heading towards film music (which DH now does full time). I agree with you that DDJY is strongest track - wonder if that is Serge G influence. Some tracks never really get started or go anywhere.

Brilliant not seen this but did the Rest is Noise by Alex Ross (about 4 months). Will schedule this in 🤣