Guardian Music — In the 70s and 80s, Gil Scott-Heron's music was a mesmerising mix of wry poetry and politics and he became known as 'the godfather of rap' and 'the black Bob Dylan'. But then he got into drugs and, not so long ago, it looked like he was finished. Now... more info

Guardian Music — You may have noticed that, as of last week, our podcast has had a bit of a makeover. Alexis Petridis is in the presenter's chair, and we've got more live sessions and new features in the pipeline. But that doesn't mean we won't still be doing what we... more info

Guardian Music — (XL)In his 1970s heyday, the poet-musician dubbed The Godfather of rap would rail about substance abuse on The ­Bottle and Angel Dust. However, for most of the last decade, his life has mirrored those songs: arrests, imprisonment and drug-dependen... more info

Here Comes The Flood — Todd photo: Lynn Goldsmith Here Comes The Flood proudly presents Crossroads, a track from the forthcoming new Todd Rundgen album Todd Rundgren's Johnson, reinterpretating the songs of legendary blues man Robert Johnson (1911-1938). MP3: Todd Rundgr... more info

Guardian Music — From High Fidelity to Heathcliff, the novelist presents the novels that epitomise the rebellious spirit of the musicTiffany Murray's first novel Happy Accidents was shortlisted for the Bollinger/Wodehouse prize for comic writing. Diamond Star Halo, h... more info

Guardian Music — The spoken word survivor is back – and he's not how you remember himIn 1994, a record producer/label executive coaxed a down-on-his-luck legend back into the studio. The resultant record of dark and sombre tones marked a change of direction, i... more info

Guardian Music — The gypsy king, who was born 100 years ago today, is now regarded as the world's most influential pre-rock'n'roll guitaristFrom Robert Johnson to Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, the guitar is inextricably linked with the mythologised troub... more info

The gypsy king, who was born 100 years ago today, is now regarded as the world's most influential pre-rock'n'roll guitaristFrom Robert Johnson to Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, the guitar is inextricably linked with the mythologised troub... more info

Guardian Music — Who are they?They are a she: 16-year-old singer-songwriter Daisy Coburn from Dunmow, Essex, who's threatening to move into the tween-angst slot vacated by Avril Lavigne. She's been tipped by the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, which isn't bad going for someo... more info

411 Mania — New music from Beck, Tom Waits, The Magnetic Fields, new media about the lives of Robert Johnson and Fela Kuti, indie rockers in jeopardy (but just a few, and it's rather specific), new tours from Oasis minus Noel and The Magnetic Fields (again), and... more info