The Observer | OMM | 17 September 2006

Through Merlin Bronques's lens, New York nightlife looks more sexy (and sleazy) than at any other time for 20 years. So what happened when OMM brought the creator of hit website lastnightsparty.com to London for the first time?

By Caspar Llewellyn Smith.
The Zimbabwean group first flew into Britain 20 years ago, and became stars overnight, world music pioneers who supported Madonna. But their fall was equally dizzying - as tragedy wiped out the band.

Founder and survivor Rise Kagonga tells a story of optimism and despair to Graeme Thomson.
For most musicians, their closest relationship is not with a member of the opposite sex or narcotic habit ..

. it's with their instrument. Neil Spencer speaks to five of the world's most distinctive talents to discover why strings and skins make them go weak at the knees.

Tom Cox's Lost Tribes of Pop gathered a cult following in this magazine. Now his funny and painfully accurate portraits of musos, biz insiders and fans have been published in expanded form as a book. Here's one excerpt - wince if you spot anyone you know.

He was a crooner in the mould of Valentino who emerged from the New York avant-garde to win the hearts of middle America. Looking like a scarecrow, deeply religious, girls still fell at his feet. Ten years after Tiny Tim's death, Chris Campion celebrates the oddest pop star the world has ever seen and discovers from those who knew him the secret of his talent.

They weren't happy with their looks, writes Sarah Boden. Some of them, no doubt, are even less happy now.
Evita Peron, a one-time England cricketer and other unlikely stars vie for your attention.

Phil Meadley joins the Brighton band, top-ranking clergy and a TV detective to honour the quirky English poet's centenary.
The tale of the public schoolboy turned punk has never before been told in such an illuminating, epic style, writes Sean O'Hagan.
The shocking return of Amy Winehouse, plus the rest of this month's top tracks.

The book, the website and the DVD.
Paul Morley: Asian Dub Foundation's Gadaffi: A Living Myth, alas, is not a musical version of this no doubt extraordinary event.
The outspoken former publicist for the Beatles and the Beach Boys is still rooted in the Swinging Sixties.

Paul Mardles attempts to interest him in the modern world.
Forget MTV and shows like Jackass, they tell us - the future for the pop video lies with YouTube. Oh, does it, asks Miranda Sawyer.

Britain's homegrown R B star says her tastes are a bit strange. But it's her footballer boyfriend who has most to worry about from her choice of tunes, she tells Will Hodgkinson.
For several years, Beta Band founder Gordon Anderson lost touch with reality.

Now his new outfit, the Aliens, sound wonderfully not of this world, says Chris Campion.
The Archies hit the top in America with 'Sugar Sugar', marking a first for cartoon pop. Ron Dante reminisces.