The Melodians

Biography

Jamaican vocal trio comprising Brent Dowe (29 June 1946, Jamaica, West Indies, d. 29 January 2006), Tony Brevett and Trevor McNaughton. Renford Cogle was also a member of the group throughout their career. He made a major contribution as songwriter on many of the trio’s biggest hits, but apparently not as a vocalist. They started singing in Kingston’s amateur talent contests from 1960, but did not record until April 1966, when they made four titles for Coxsone Dodd, only two of which were released. During 1967-68 the Melodians recorded a series of big local hits for the Treasure Isle label, owned by producer Duke Reid, that endure to this day as classics of the rocksteady school. The trio’s cool, precise harmonies are showcased to near-perfection on ‘You Don’t Need Me’, ‘I Will Get Along’, ‘I Caught You’, all released in 1967, and ‘Come On Little Girl’ in 1968. Later in 1968, the group made two more...

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