Harmony Trios (RAS Portraits) (RAS, 1997)

A short but sweet collection that rivals Island's Reggae Greats collections in both sweetness and shortness.  All but two songs here are fine examples of the harmony trio, the main exception being the Heptones' sappy "Teach the Children."  Both of those groups have fine vocals, but  the Heptones are one of my favorites, but this track reeks of the icky sentimentality that Junior Tucker sometimes goes for.  But I shouldn't dwell on the bad parts, for this album is 8/9 good.  Taken from RAS albums ranging from 1983 to 1996, it opens with Black Uhuru's resounding "Dread in the Mountain," with the group's voices literally echoing through the mountains.  Israel Vibration tops that intro with the incomparable "Cool and Calm," and the Congos return with an up-tempo work of art, "Natty Dread Rise Again."  Nice supporting vibes come courtesy of legendary groups like the Mighty Diamonds and Culture, along with the lesser-known Psalms.