Swing and Dine (Heartbeat, 1992)

A relatively short-lived group, The Melodians nonetheless produced a remarkable amount of top quality rock steady and reggae tunes between the mid-'60s and mid-'70s.  Most of their hits are included on this compilation, although their most popular song, "Rivers of Babylon," is not (This set features productions by Duke Reid and Sonia Pottinger, while Leslie Kong produced "Rivers of Babylon.").  Still, this omission reduces the level of the material here little.  The trio's old-fashioned R&B-esque harmonizing style and irresistible melodies carry the album.   Even tracks that you don't think you like end up sticking with you.  I dare you to resist humming "You Don't Need Me," the playful "I'll Get Along Without You," the cool and easy title track, or the absolute classic "You Have Caught Me."  These, and indeed most of the cuts on Swing and Dine, have a nice rock steady sound, and even if you don't like rock steady that much, these catchy melodies draw you in.  You won't find the Rasta influences of "Rivers of Babylon" here; instead, the typical rock steady themes of love and partying dominate.   The ska vibe of "I'll Take You Where the Music's Playing" and "What More Can I Say" are solid, as are "It's All in the Family," "Expo 67," "No, No, Lola," "Love Is a Doggone Good Thing," and the largely instrumental "Daphne Walking."