A satanic howl from the Gutters

It's been a long time since a major rapper made an album as politically radical as 'Untitled'. The presence of the Last Poets as guests offers a clue as to where Nasir Jones's head is at right now.

This is Gong we're talking about, and half measures are an unknown quantity in their world. This is a band that knew what the joke was, and their joyous trip to enlightenment and the left-hand path made for an unforgettable, psychedelic experience at Massive Attack's Meltdown.

She's belted Russell Harty, beaten James Bond and brought the house down with her fashion sense. Now the inimitable Grace Jones is back at Meltdown. Andy Gill takes cover

Wrapped up in blue: pathos, paranoia and psychobabble

Between the rows and break-ups, Massive Attack have always worked with their friends and heroes. So, as Robert Del Naja tells Phil Johnson, curating the Southbank Meltdown season is business as usual

David Cameron's declaration that 'Eton Rifles' is his favourite song has prompted a furious response from Paul Weller. The truth is that politics and pop just do not mix. By Cahal Milmo and Andy McSmith

The capital of trip-hop is back on track with a slew of new recordings from its Nineties pioneers. By Nick Hasted

Away from music, Massive Attack's Robert '3D' Del Naja has become a sought-after modern artist

The first record I bought was...

Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. I remember hearing "So What" on the radio when I was just eight years old and my dad was driving us up to London one night in the rain. Around that time I had been getting more and more into playing around with scales and improvising on the piano, so I was just really struck by American jazz pianist Bill Evans' way with harmony.

The Exit festival in Novi Sad began as a massive political protest. Radio 1's Annie Nightingale joined the throng this year

HORACE ANDY

Texas Wembley Arena London

Musician Nitin Sawhney grew up with racism and cross-cultural confusion. But he has come of age with an album that celebrates his diverse influences. It's beyond good, says Phil Johnson