The Telegraph — From James Last to Lou Reed, easy listening musicians are under-rated, says Michael Simkins. They provide the perfect soundtrack to a summer barbecue more info

Time — He sold 80 million albums of his trademark easy-listening music during his long career more info

The Telegraph — The critics may have mauled him but James Last revelled in his commercial success, says Michael Henderson more info

The Telegraph — James Last, one of the most popular band leaders of the post-war period, has died in Florida more info

Guardian Music — Session guitarist with more than 50 chart toppers to his nameThe sound of British pop music in the 1960s was largely the creation of unsung recording-session musicians who accompanied the solo singers of the era and were frequently enlisted to improv... more info

Guardian Music — Merveille & CrossonDRM (Visionquest)Do you worship Ricardo Villalobos? Are strung-out Sunday morning after-parties where you experience your most profound spiritual epiphanies? If so, you'll love DRM, the first misshapen fruit of a collaboration betw... more info

Guardian Music — You sent us your top tunes on the box – we broadcast the results"Your name, please."Um, Jon Dennis."Your special subject?"What makes a good TV theme.And I'm glad you asked me that, Magnus. The name of the music accompanying the opening titles (that... more info

Guardian Music — This gentleman takes the sort of high-school pop the weirder kids from Twin Peaks might have enjoyed and fuzzes it up Hometown: Cologne, Germany.The lineup: James Singleton (voices, instruments).The background: The fast turnover of acts for this colu... more info

Totally Fuzzy — Acoustic, Surf, Singer Songwriter - David Collins - 'Above The Clouds' (Expat Records) David Collins is a singer/songwriter, instrumentalist and producer who has released his first album to critical acclaim. "Above the Clouds" is a beach chil... more info

Mjsbigblog — This week has been the long-awaited unveiling of new music from Casey James Last night, Casey James played a new song at the annual Sony CRS Boat Cruise for radio DJs and industry people and tonight, he played a 5 song set as an opening act for Suga... more info