Steppin’ cover

Steppin’

Released

The profile of reggae in American and England is often skewed towards dub, so much so that fans lose sight of why the rhythms were cut in the first place. Griffiths is a master of something that really only shows up in Jamaican vocal pop—a kind of relaxed emotionalism, not nearly as churchy as American soul (not a Jamaican church, is it?) and not as perky as rocksteady and ska. Griffiths loves the straight ahead, unadorned vocal and Steppin’ will make you yearn for her lack of pretension if you spend enough time with it. I cannot confirm this but I think Adele’s conversational singing takes something from Griffith’s brand of power and quiet control.

Sasha Frere-Jones

Recommended by

Suggestions
Love Thy Neighbour cover

Love Thy Neighbour

Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus
Samba cover

Samba

Vieux Farka Touré
Sex Education cover

Sex Education

Clint Eastwood
War Ina Babylon cover

War Ina Babylon

Max Romeo, The Upsetters
Being with You cover

Being with You

Smokey Robinson
Burnin’ cover

Burnin’

Bob Marley, The Wailers
Dread Beat an’ Blood cover

Dread Beat an’ Blood

Linton Kwesi Johnson
Marcus Garvey cover

Marcus Garvey

Burning Spear