This is, and always has been since I first heard it, my favourite song of all time. It’s just perfect in its simplicity: wistful, dreamy, mournful and melancholic.

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This sweaty, soulful, stripped-back take on one of Jimi’s biggest tunes is by his first group – a few years after he left.

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Patti Smith’s Horses – my favourite record for much of my life – plays a part in a couple of key scenes in Wim Wenders’ wonderful film Perfect Days.

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If acid house was the first truly underground music scene to come along since the early days of punk rock, then jungle was its natural successor.

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Once seen, you’ll never get this video out of your mind. Especially this, Chris Cunningham’s full ten-and-a-half minute version of Windowlicker by Aphex Twin.

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LCD Soundsystem made their debut in 2005 with this satirical send-up of the cool kids and what they were listening to over an electronic dance rhythm blending punk and disco.

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The American Analog Set launched their lo-fi career in the mid-90s in Austin, Texas, influenced by krautrock, post-rock and shoegaze.

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Bill Callahan has been plying his lo-fi trade for more than 35 years. I caught him at one of his first UK gigs when he still went by Smog.

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The summer of ’79 witnessed one of those rare occasions when a reggae song struck a chord with the entire nation – and was the first lover’s rock tune to be sung on Top of the Pops. Dennis Bovell wrote, produced and played the music on Janet Kay’s lover’s rock classic Silly Games – then stripped it back to this killer dub. (more…)

There’s a film in cinemas right now about a long-forgotten British funk band called Cymande, who disappeared 50 years ago and have decided to reform. Change one or two details – replace 50 with 40 and change funk to dub reggae – and you could be talking about Creation Rebel.

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