Bob Dylan – Jokerman: The Reggae Remix EP Review

One of the very last words, let alone genres, to associate with Bob Dylan, is reggae. He has never mused much on the musical origins of Jamaica, nor does it appear he has been influenced by them in his finest works. Jokerman: The Reggae Remix, then, is a fascinating development which has been lost to time. To those who stuck it out, remember it or even purchased it, there is no backing down from a reggae-fused Dylan cover. There is no turning back from this fascinating display and though it may not be the best – the intention is clear and warm enough to provide some clarity for why Doctor Dread attempted to adapt Jokerman as well as I and I. An instrumental dub for both tracks to mark this EP as a real, hardcore development. 

For the few who will appreciate an adaptation of some Infidels-era songs from Dylan – then this is the EP for you. Those sane many out there who likely passed up on this release will be delighted to see it reprinted and republished time and time again. All roads lead to reggae remixes. Just look at Yard Act and their debut record. It is not that Jokerman does not work with this beat underneath it, but the Doctor Dread remake makes little sense as far as actual conception goes. Overcome this fascination and revel in what is, essentially, an early 1990s movie soundtrack piece and nothing more. Dylan is condensed into an instrumental shockwave here, turning one of his more promising lull period songs into a messy collection of dated instrumentals.  

Dread does bring about a powerful switch-up though where Dylan speaks of Molotov cocktails. The music abruptly stops, allowing a slightly echoed vocal to come through and with such a clear aim, it is hard not to accept the powerful intention from Dread here. Those differences between dub and remix are, frankly, massive. Huge differences – more so for I and I which heads from its remix standard of subtle guitar work to a dub which brings out an echoed cry of “creation”. Dread is a firm hand for these pieces, I and I sounds reawakened, a fresh and intense feeling flows through both the remix and the dub. Fantastic work all around which has a subtle mark on one, a complete workaround on the other.  

Dubs and remixes are an oft-forgotten piece of once essential kit for an artist. It is like Blur putting out bonus tracks as though people are still waiting for the silence to pass on their CDs. Something about it just isn’t cool anymore – but heading back to hear other artists work over the songs which mean so much to them always will be. These are not covers as Dylan started doing on his own time but a reimagining of already established works, solid songs from a discography littered with better pieces. Jokerman: The Reggae Remix EP is an odd little slice of history which brings to light two solid Dylan tracks from a darker period. If anything, it is just nice to hear someone so moved by this rocky time in his career – and a solid reminder of the quality which can be found throughout the Infidels record. A diamond in the rough, dubbed by reggae class.