The River Doesn’t Like Strangers

I am surprised this wasn’t a bigger deal. London saxophonist Carmichael is signed to Shabaka Hutchings’ label, and this is her first album as leader. The overall feel is consistent with the best jazz now—anything is admissible, like David Okumu’s guitar work (which reminds me of Jean Paul Bourelly’s) or a slightly West Indian rhythm bed, or a completely open form.

Recorded in three days without prior rehearsal, this is simply one of the very greatest albums to come out of the explosive London jazz scene of the late 2010s / early 2020s. Manchester born and raised Carmichael played sax with many luminaries, including in the bands of Tuba titan Theon Cross and pianist Joe Armon-Jones, but for this one-off project on Shabaka Hutchings Native Rebel label, she’s joined by guitarist Dave Okumu, upright bassist Tom Herbert (both of The Invisible), and drummer Edward Wakili-Hick for something that goes way beyond jazz. Dub reggae is never far from the surface, but there’s a moody, filmic vibe that brings in rockabilly, spaghetti western and even Joy Division into the mix. At times you might hear hints of David Lynch soundtracks, or of The Specials when Jerry Dammers is most dominating, but at all times Carmichael’s ultra-direct, never over-elaborated alto sax lines make all these atmospherics play second fiddle to her distinct and powerful musical personality.