Pitchfork

Despite having made a big deal out of the downturn in Jamaican vinyl production over the past few months, the fact remains that reggae continues to produce music at a pace that, although somewhat diminished by its own uncommonly high standards, would still be seen as furious by any other genre. As a result, even though it's taking rather less music far longer to be blessed with a 45rpm release, both roots and dancehall look to be in pretty good health right now. And, as reggae is now a truly global phenomenon, plenty of solid material is coming from the music's centers on other shores.

First up this month, for instance, is something straight out of my own backyard, with occasional Month In guest contributors Gabriel Myddleton and Gervase De Wilde of the Heatwave DJ crew dropping their first original production on vinyl. Although pieces have been trickling out on the Piano riddim for a couple of months since the appearance of Warrior Queen's "Things Change" on Soul Jazz's England Story compilation, now all the vocals are available on wax.

Instead of aping the plasticky jackhammer riddims now ruling Kingston's dancehalls, the Heatwave have come up with an idisosyncratic and typically London-centric interpretation of the genre, teaming punchy reggaeton-flavoured beats with organic splashes of titular instrumentation and a selection of high-quality, locally sourced voicings including the sound system's own Rubi Dan with "Higher Heights" and Roll Deep MC Riko Dan, hot on the heels of his own mixtape The Truth, with the rough and ready "Mid How You A Talk". It's a great first effort, made all the better by its hazy summery vibe and a scorching update of the Warrior Queen version by Mashit crew member DJ C.

Over on the island, meanwhile, Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor is still living up to his nickname. Despite being barely of school-leaving age, this young studio don has turned out some of the most notable music of the past 18 months, with riddims such as the Power Cut (host to Busy Signal's song of the same name), the Tremor (Mavado's "Amazing Grace", Sean Paul's "Watch Them Roll") and the Dark Again (Elephant Man's "All Bad Man") placing him in a position to rival such established players such as Donovan Bennett for the title of Jamaican production's man of the moment. Still, it's hardly surprising that he knows his way around a good tune or two. The 17-year-old's dad is veteran singer Freddie McGregor, after all.

Now he's back with the Chiney K riddim, a steely and propulsive instrumental that perfectly shows the stone-cold, baroque nature of his work. Best of the voicings come from perennial Month In favorite Anthony B with "Wine U" and Mavado with a mournful, yet spine-chilling title track.

For the pick of this month's albums, thanks go out to VP Records. Etana has been around for a little while now, dropping fulsome and soulful voicings on a variety of riddims, including No Doubt's Rub A Dub (incidentally now available on vinyl after an apparent eternity on CD and MP3) and the Stainless crew's High Grade. Now she shows her mettle with a terrific, if somewhat sugary in places, debut of her own. This album is worthy of such high praise at least in part because it's important to remember that syrupy love songs have as much of a place in Jamaican culture and the dance itself as conscious or badman tunes.

In fact, on The Strong One, the singer takes several bold steps, opting not for a cut and dried approach and instead blending several of these. While "Jah Chariot" is all rootsy skank, "Wasting My Time" is pure bashment stomp. Still, "Don't Forget" sees her at her strongest, owing way more to Celine Dion than Tanya Stephens.

Unfortunately, it seems that I've picked the wrong week to arrive in New York City. One day earlier and I'd have been able to report on the May 10th Mother's Day Concert at Madison Square Garden featuring Super Cat, Buju Banton, and Barrington Levy. Still, it is heartening to see that Jamaican artists are able to play on North American shores after several years of controversy and visa refusals, not least that of Mavado who was turned away from New York last month thanks to previous gun charges back in Jamaica – even though said charges had already been dropped by authorities on the island.

Obviously I'll be heading out to Jamaica Queens as usual, so hold tight for a stack of brand new material in next month's column. For the time being, though, I'm just going to sit here on a friend's Brooklyn stoop with my laptop, listening to a brand new culture mix by UK Cup Clash winners Bass Odyssey bought from a shop around the corner with my breakfast milk. Now that's something you can't do just anywhere…