Split into three concurrent audio and narrative storylines the music switches between densely meshed electronica-laden rap, intricate jazz-swing-fusion and a fully realised ‘radio-play’ style drama featuring Kinch’s actor brother Toyin Omari-Kinch in the lead role of Smith, among a cast of cartoon-ish characters. With influences ranging from Dante to J.S. Bach, Ornette Coleman to Madlib, Kinch has commented on the project: “This concept really allowed me to push myself to stylistic extremes, light years outside of my comfort zone.”

As musically rich as it is intellectually and sonically challenging, the album features Kinch on alto sax, rap vocals, keyboards and beat programming, alongside his core trio of bassist Karl Rasheed-Abel and drummer Graham Godfrey. There are also guest contributions from the likes of Eska Mtungwazi, Cleveland Watkiss, Julian Joseph, Shabaka Hutchings and Jay Phelps. At the time of writing tour dates have yet to be announced but Kinch is booked for both the Gateshead Jazz Festival in April, and Jazz FM’s Love Supreme Jazz Festival in July.

– Mike Flynn