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REISSUES | COMPS | BOXSETS | LOST RECORDINGS

SLY STONE, WHO DIED ON June 9 at 82, wrung greatness out of the American abyss. Early in his career, Stone was an avatar of a more peaceful future, forming Sly and the Family Stone as one of the count

FLASHBACK

Thirty years ago, Marillion released their final album on EMI, their first not to reach the UK Top 10. Afraid Of Sunlight has since been hailed as one of the band’s greatest recordings, but tragedy lay at its heart, even though it kickstarted their career as one of the most successful independent groups. The band recall the challenging times that threatened their career and, at times, their sanity.

They may not match Keats or Heaney for poetic heft, but you’re a hell of a lot more likely to recognise Oasis’s lyrics than anything written by more celebrated wordsmiths. The words penned by the brot