The Melodians

Vocal trio the Melodians were one of Jamaica's greatest rocksteady groups, cutting a series of classic singles during the late '60s and early '70s that included the internationally famed "Rivers of Babylon" and "Sweet Sensation." The group was formed in the Greenwich Town area of Kingston in 1963 and included Tony Brevett (brother of Skatalites bassist Lloyd Brevett) and Brent Dowe, who split lead vocal duties, plus full-time harmony singer Trevor McNaughton. Additional member Renford Cogle never sang with the group, but wrote or co-wrote much of their material, and also served as an arranger. In their early days, the Melodians performed quite successfully in talent shows around Kingston, which eventually led to their first recording session -- for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One label -- in 1966. Only two of the four tracks were released, and drew little attention. The Melodians moved over to Duke Reid's Treasure Isle imprint from 1967-1968, and it was there that they had their first taste of success. Singles like "You Have Caught Me," "Expo 67," "I'll Get Along Without You," "You Don't Need Me" (which featured groundbreaking chatter U-Roy), and "Come On Little Girl" established them as one of the sweetest-sounding vocal ensembles on the rocksteady scene. After "Come On Little Girl" became a hit in 1968, the group joined up with producer Sonia Pottinger and scored two more successes that year, "Little Nut Tree" and "Swing and Dine." The Melodians broke through to a wider international audience when they began recording for producer Leslie Kong in 1969, an association that resulted in many of their most celebrated songs. "Sweet Sensation" sold quite well in the U.K. as well as Jamaica, and it was eclipsed in both places later that year by the smash "Rivers of...