Before There's a Riot Going On, Sly Stone had produced so many classic slabs of funk that he was likely to be forgiven anything by his adoring public. He decided to test this faith to its limit.

It might seem odd to be suggesting a mega selling album from a multi-mega selling band is an under-appreciated album. However, even though this weird, messy, low-fi, downbeat funk classic had an immense effect on so many artists it's possible that if any other band had produced it at any other time it may have wriggled into a corner of cultdom that even cults shied away from.

When you hear Cut by The Slits for the first time you may be duped into believing that you are listening to some early attempt at a punk/reggae crossover. Listen again and you'll notice that this is not even close to being a hybrid. The Slits were unique. Formed at the age of 14 when girl bands were becoming even less frequent, two of the members had been chucked out of their first band by Sid Vicious because they couldn't play. And they barely could play but the compensation was a stop start scratchy punk style that they used to emphasise and enhance lyrics that were so harsh, witty and provocative that they are scratched into your memory for a long time after.

Un-Convention, which ran from the 4^th to the 6^th of June in Salford, attempts to bring together musicians on a grass-roots level, with the goal being: 'to bring together like minded individuals to discuss the future of Independent music'.

Consisting ofpanels and live music, with the inevitable opportunities for networking, a large theme within the conference was the difficulties in marketising artists' products in the light of the digital/online revolution that has swept the industry since the beginning of the millennium.

Will Oldham's best songs always feel like he has stopped off to take in the view. But he is not drawn to the usual beauty spots. His resting points can be as enigmatic as the man himself. And that's why he is so durably brilliant. His songs are both random and specific. Sadness is full of humour, pessimism full of optimism. You are left knowing that life is as terrible as you thought and why are you taking it so seriously.

There are obvious musical and vocal reference points, we are hardly short of melancholic genius, thin voices soulfully whining over gorgeous strings and soft percussion, but I think I love him most of all for the reference points beyond music. Beware in particular makes me think of my favourite self effacing comedians, the way they can make you feel pathetic and euphoric. But the clearest image in my head is Harry Dean Stanton walking in Paris, Texas. Lost with purpose. Blotting out the pain until he knows how he can redeem himself.