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
King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown cover

King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown

King Tubby, Augustus Pablo
Cymande cover

Cymande

Cymande
Being with You cover

Being with You

Smokey Robinson
Forward cover

Forward

The Abyssinians
Satta Massagana cover

Satta Massagana

The Abyssinians
Funky Kingston cover

Funky Kingston

Toots & the Maytals
Fever cover

Fever

Tenor Saw