African music has long been a wellspring of rhythmic innovation, spiritual depth, and communal storytelling. Its polyrhythmic structures, call-and-response vocals, and layered percussion have profoundly influenced global genres—from jazz to funk, and from Afrobeat to contemporary electronic music. This rich tapestry of sound and meaning forms the foundation upon which Colombian multi-instrumentalist Jaime Ospina builds his latest album, The Vessel.

I’ve always been drawn to the idea that consciousness isn’t a privilege reserved for humans. What if everything—objects, places, even the air between us—has its own form of awareness? It may be beyond our comprehension, but it’s a poetic and powerful notion. This idea is called panpsychism, and it’s the perfect name for Test Patterns’ latest album.

Pontea is a remarkable musician who channels her life’s energy into her voice and hands, crafting healing musical notes.