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Review of Noor

Noor

Yamila

Top of the World

Umor Rex

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★

Yamila’s Noor operates with crisp, clean, cinematic production – but leaves the listener with the same sense of unease as...

Reviewed by Rosie Esther Solomon in issue: May/2026

Review of Landscapes of Eternity

Landscapes of Eternity

Naïssam Jalal

Top of the World

Les Couleurs du Son

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★

Every time Naïssam Jalal releases a new album, I get to have the same thought: ‘bloody hell, she’s a fantastic...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: May/2026

Review of Kinshasa In Action

Kinshasa In Action

KINACT

Nyege Nyege Tapes

Rating: ★★★★★★★

“In Action” is the key part of this title. A release bristling with life and possibility, KINACT’s Kinshasa In Action...

Reviewed by Rosie Esther Solomon in issue: May/2026

Review of Two Moons

Two Moons

Bei Bei | Bei Bei & Shawn Lee

Bei Bei Time Productions

Rating: ★★★★★★★

Known for her numerous appearances on film and video game soundtracks (notably Mulan, Kung Fu Panda 4 and Civilization VII),...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: May/2026

Review of Modern Pop from Mauritania (1984–1989)

Modern Pop from Mauritania (1984–1989)

Yassine Nana

Sofa Records / Les Disques Bongo Joe

Rating: ★★★★★★★★

It’s fitting that this terrific compilation opens with the sound of people happily hanging out (on ‘Boustan El Achaar’) because...

Reviewed by Diane Coetzer in issue: May/2026

Review of BarrioKandela

BarrioKandela

Doctor Nativo

Stonetree Music

Rating: ★★★★★★★★

“Doctor Nativo doesn’t make music to fit into genres” his publicity suggests, “he makes music to remember.” In creating his...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: May/2026

Review of Next Act

Next Act

Steep Canyon Rangers

Yep Roc

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★

The task this North Carolina sextet sets itself here is both to reaffirm their bluegrass roots and to move the...

Reviewed by Paul Slade in issue: May/2026

Review of Ruido Tovar

Ruido Tovar

Mexican Institute of Sound and Meridian Brothers

Top of the World

Ansonia Records

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★

Mexico and Colombia collide with joyful energy and absurdist humour on this debut collaboration between two veterans of the wonkier...

Reviewed by Justin Turford in issue: May/2026

Review of Chamber Music

Chamber Music

Conor Moore

Hollow Gesture Records

Rating: ★★★★★★★

It’s always good to see young guitarists coming through and flying the flag for acoustic instrumental music. Miami-based Conor Moore...

Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: May/2026

Review of Curandero

Curandero

Orkesta Mendoza

Top of the World

Glitterbeat Records

Rating: ★★★★

The US/Mexican frontier is a hotspot of hope and anguish, drugs and guns, rednecks and refugees. Orkesta Mendoza, formed by...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: June/2020

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