The Invisible - Patience, review: 'the musicianship is second to none'

One of the secret heroes of London music offers up nimble collaborations

Feather-light: Dave Okumu and bandmates Tom Herbert and Leo Taylor present a tastily loose new album

Phil Sharp

Richard Godwin10 June 2016

Despite a Mercury nomination in 2009, The Invisible’s Dave Okumu is not a household name. He is, however, one of the secret heroes of London music.

The Invisible - Patience

A whipsmart producer, deft guitarist and great bear of a man (Austria-born to Kenyan parents who settled here when he was 10), he crafted the rippling, intimate soundscapes for Jessie Ware’s debut and played guitar for the late Amy Winehouse. His bandmates, Tom Herbert and Leo Taylor, are Adele’s studio rhythm section and alt-jazz mainstays.

Together they create a nimble, spacey, gossamer-light sound that’s feather-light and as funky as a dog in shades. Ware is an uncredited guest on the melancholy opener So Well, Anna Calvi sings the chorus of the tastily loose single Love Me Again, while K Town Sunset - in collaboration with New Zealand bedroom genius Connan Mockasin - oozes oddness.

As supporting players by nature, there’s a lack of presence when it’s just them, but the musicianship is second to none.