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The Melodians

The Melodians was formed in the Greenwich Town area of Kingston in 1965 by Tony Brevett (brother of Skatalites bassist Lloyd Brevett), Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton. They are one of Jamaica's greatest Rocksteady groups, cutting a series of classic singles during the late '60s and early '70s.

In 1966 The Melodians made their recording debut with Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One label with the releases "Lay It On", "Meet Me", "I Should Have Made It Up" amongst others. During the early part of 1967, The Melodians moved over to Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label recording successfull hits like "You Have Caught Me", "I'll Get Along Without You", and "You Don't Need Me" (which featured U-Roy). These recordings established them as the sweetest-sounding vocal trios on the Rocksteady circuit. In 1968, the Melodians left Treasure Isle and joined up with producer Sonia Pottinger releasing two more hits, "Little Nut Tree" and "Swing and Dine".

Later the trio joined with fellow artists, The Gaylads, Delroy Wilson and Ken Boothe, in launching the Links Label which released songs such as "Sweet Rose", "It Comes and Goes" which were popular before the demise of Links records. Late in 1968, the trio joined Winston Lowe's newly launched "Tramp" label. In 1969, The Melodians began recording for producer Leslie Kong breaking through to a wider international audience releasing smash hits such as "Sweet Sensation" "Rivers of Babylon", of which became the group's signature tune. Some of their other successful releases included "It's My Delight", "A Day Seems So Long" and "It Took A Miracle." Towards the end of 1972, the trio returned to work with Duke Reid for a last time to record "Passion Love" and "Love Makes the World Go Around" and also reunited with Sonia Pottinger yet again to cut "Black Man Kingdom Come". In 1973 Dowe left the group and The Melodians disbanded.

Throughout the remainder of the 70's, Brevett, Dowe and McNaughton occasionally re-formed to record, with their collaborations including "Dry Up Yuh Tears", "What Am I To Do", "It's All In The Family". They also did a version of the drifters "I'll Take You Where The Music's Playing" for Pottinger, and "Why Little Girl" along with a remake of "Passion Love" for Channel One. Other releases bearing their name included "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" and an updated version of "Swing and Dine" for Harry J's (Harry Johnson). The trio also produces singles for Vivian Jackson and on the Studio One Label. In 1983 the trio re-formed and recorded the album, Irie Feelings for Ras Records, who also issued "Warning" "Push a Little Harder" as a single.

In 1992 they recorded "Song of Love" issued on the Tappa Zukie Label. On January 28, 2006 after rehearsal, Brent Dowe, at the age of 59 suffered a fatal heart attack. The remaining original members Tony Brevett and Trevor McNaughton have continued touring in Europe and the US as well as recording in honor of Brent Dowe. Information gathered from www.themelodians.net.

Listen to some of the hit tunes by the Melodian

Little Nut tree

Come on little Girl

Get along without you

You don't need me

Swing and Dine

Sweet Sensation

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