JARV IS

Swanky Modes (Dennis Bovell mixes)

Rough Trade

There's a good chance if you're reading this you'll know who JARV IS is. If you don't, it's basically Jarvis Cocker's post-Pulp band, which put a first album out in 2020, Beyond the Pale. 'Swanky Modes' is one of the tracks therein. Basic introductions over, let's move to Dennis Bovell, who may be less familiar to many.

Born into 1950s Barbados life, Bovell lays claim to an MBE and legions of fans worldwide for his contributions to reggae. A former member of the British band Matumbi, he's also recorded releases under the Blackbeard pseudonym in addition to collaborations with the great Linton Kwesi Johnson. Basically, he's a genre hero and has now turned his hand to remixing JARV IS. The result is spectacular: two strange and slightly psychedelic, dub pop beauties.