Kinch's 2014 The Legend Of Mike Smith was predicated on the seven deadly sins and this latest offering from the British saxophonist-MC takes its cue from another number, nine, used as a talismanic time signature throughout most of the material. Nonagram also investigates the tonal possibilities of the odd numbers that can be derived from various geometric shapes such as triangles and the nine-sided nonagram, and for the most part the results are stimulating. The abundance of pieces with a nine and seven-beat pulse lends to the music a distinctly wavering feel, and in some cases the harmony has been pared right down to the bone, using no more than two pitches (inspired by figures). But Kinch has written some of the most soulful themes of his recent output, and the rhythmic character of the music veers skillfully between flighty swing and pounding backbeat. Interesting as the concept is, the album really benefits from the chemistry of one of the best groups that Kinch has led in a long time, with American drummer Hutchinson brilliantly anchoring a transatlantic rhythm section in which young Brits, pianist James and bassist Jurd, impress. There is also a strong political undercurrent to this work, as befits an artist with opinions to go.