A manifeste of musical and spiritual freedom, Axis: Bold As Love was JIMI HENDRIX ar his most exploratory, utopian. But as a new box set explores, notes of unease and psycho-autobiography cut through the Aquarian haze and freaky, proto-stereo FX, as the Summer of Love entered its more conflicted autumn. "It was all vivid colour," peers and Fhu tell MARK PAYTRESS, "with Jimi at the height of his powers."

A few years ago, Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr were interviewed for a BBC documentary about music’s messiest break-ups. Which may seem like an odd booking, given the pair’s famously adamantine bond. B

Breakfast Special Super’ trouper: keyboard king Rick ...

John & Yoko/ Plastic Ono Band Power ...

I guess my main preoccupations at 16 were just trying to stay out of trouble. I was incredibly unsuccessful with finding girlfriends and things like that. Really, very, very unsuccessful. I think I wa

For 10 years, from 1965 to 1975, snapper BARRIE WENTZELL was the all-seeing eye of the UK music scene. His new book, previewed here, captures the biggest stars at their least guarded. DANNY ECCLESTON is agog.