Darling Ooh (Attack, 1991 [orig. released 1972])

Errol Dunkley has a solid grass roots following, if for no other reason than for his annoyingly irresistible 1979 hit remake of John Holt's "OK Fred."  But Dunkley had already been making great music for over a decade by the time that song hit the charts (the UK charts, that is), as evidenced in Darling Ooh.  Originally titled Presenting Errol Dunkley, this set collects together early reggae tunes from the late '60s to the early '70s, none quite as unapologetically happy as "OK Fred," although the superb instrumental "Hi-Lite" is a rather upbeat, jazzy number.  Also good are his slow, rocking "A Little Way Different," his remake of Delroy Wilson's "I Don't Know Why" (here titled "Movie Star"), and probably the best track on the album, the outstanding "You Never Know."  Solid melodies + solid music = solid album.