Macca beyond
It's easy to take happily married squillionaire Paul McCartney forgranted. But his new album is his most searingly honest in decades. He tells Sean O'Hagan about the pain of his many losses - and the creative urge that still drives
Read the interview transcript
Ghetto fabulous
Baile funk might be the most exciting music in the world - it certainly comes from one of its most dangerous places. Alex Bellos reports from deep inside the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.
After the flood
Ever since the ragtime piano of Jelly Roll Morton, New Orleans has been a vital centre of American music. Neil Spencer reports on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Feelin' free
Is the music industry failing new artists? What does the term 'urban' mean to black acts? When the artist Chris Ofili set up the Freeness project, with support from Observer Music Monthly, these were some of the questions. Nine months later, there are answers. Caspar Llewellyn Smith reports.
Perfect day
The new breed of Britpop stars have taken the charts and the public imagination by storm this year. Sarah Boden explains why they have had such an impact.
Flash-back
This is the story the Scorsese documentary won't tell you: that of Bob Dylan's first pivotal visit to Britain to star in a play for the BBC. By Caspar Llewellyn Smith.
Flash-forward
Folk legend Vashti Bunyan lost her way at the end of the hippie dream. Finally she is back to enthral a new crowd, marvels Kitty Empire.
The 10 most influential radio DJs
Alastair Campbell? I don't think so. These are the real spin doctors...
Last Month's 10
Neil Spencer selected the ten greatest musical dynasties.
Fergal Keane
The fearless broadcaster was a young Bowie obsessive, and his band played the same venues as U2. Now he feels like an 'old fogey'. Can Luke Bainbridge help?
Monsters of rock
REO Speedwagon or Led Zep? Who cares? Edgar and Annika are going to party like it's 1982. Tom Cox looks on in disbelief.
He shoots, he scores
Craig Armstrong, the composer whose credits include Love Actually and Romeo + Juliet, on the perfect combination of sound and vision.
The OMM recommended 10
Molloy Woodcraft selects the best soundtracks of your lives.
Fanatical? Not us, we're just good friends of Neil's
Live: John Duncan couldn't pass up the chance to see his idol play two intimate shows - and neither could his friends. After all, it was only 4,000 miles from home.
Read John Duncan's Nashville diary
Q &A
Lord Lichfield, one of Britain's most celebrated photographers and first cousin to the Queen once removed, quizzes pop princess Rachel Stevens about her new album, her love of fashion, and just what makes her nervous.
Picture this
Robbie Williams might star in a Saturday Night Fever remake. We can think of stranger casting...
Thatch of the day
However good your game, dyed black hair and county football simply don't mix, as misguided goth in the midfield Paul Mardles once found to his cost...
Your number's up
The 'iPhone' looks like the ultimate consumer product. But beware the big catch: you might only be able to rent songs, not own them.
Peel's box of secrets
A privileged glimpse of the most prized seven-inch records of the late DJ tells you all you need to know about pop: here the White Stripes and Bill Oddie are equal partners.
