Today, January 9th, is the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between North and South Sudan. In 365 days a referendum is due to be held to determine the future of Sudan. But, there is a real danger that war will return. To mark this, a series of events are being held in 15 countries calling on world leaders to do more to avoid a return to civil war.

Amongst the activities to help draw attention to the event is a video that has just been released featuring a range of musicians - including Nick Mason, representing Pink Floyd, Radiohead's Philip Selway, Elbow's Richard Jupp, Caroline Corr, Evelyn Glennie, Stewart Copeland and a wide range of musicians from various countries - all coming together to drum for peace.

You can find out more at www.Sudan365.org, and you can watch the very impressive, and inspiring, "A Beat For Peace" via Youtube:

The new issue of the UK's Classic Rock Magazine (cover date January 2010, issue 140, click thumbnail right) includes, within an outer slipcover, a free 2010 calendar (called "The Variants") featuring Storm Thorgerson's iconic artwork for various artists.

Billed as containing "unseen and rare art" from Pink Floyd, Muse, Peter Gabriel and more, it includes a different shot from the 1987 Momentary Lapse cover sessions, with the tide lapping around the beds, an alternate shot from the 30th anniversary edition of The Dark Side Of The Moon (the stained glass window), and the new "Outback Catalogue" image taken this year, and including the Syd Barrett-esque Tree of Half Life. Other months feature his (and StormStudios) fabulous work for other artists.

A great way to track the path of the next twelve months - get your copy now before they all sell out (like last month's Pink Floyd The Wall special did!). It's in UK stores now, and will be in selected outlets worldwide in due course.

The latest release from "possibly the world's smallest vinyl-only 'new-versions-of' classic psychedelia, progressive rock, acid-folk and krautrock record label" Fruits de Mer, is a Swedish acid-folk version of the Pink Floyd classic 'Julia Dream'. Released on ivy-white 7” vinyl, the single by the aptly-named Us & Them (a Swedish boy-girl duo) includes the nursery rhyme 'All the Pretty Little Horses', that Roger Waters apparently based his melody line on.

A beautiful, dreamy version of the song, it drifts into your consciousness and makes itself comfy. You can get it on 7" ice-vinyl, with a 7½” square 8-page full-colour lyrics booklet in place of a 'normal' sleeve, direct from their webshop (www.fruitsdemerrecords.com), or through a handful of like-minded UK stores (Piccadilly Records, Norman Records, Heyday Mail Order, Rough Trade). More info, also at www.UsAndThem.se, and at MySpace.com.

Our very best wishes go to Guy Pratt today (January 3rd), who is celebrating his 48th birthday. Born in London in 1962, son of the actor Mike Pratt from Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), Guy took to a career in music, which lead to his first world tour whilst still a teenager!

Working with the likes of Bryan Ferry and Robert Palmer lead to him being noticed by David Gilmour, who invited Guy to play for Pink Floyd in 1987. This lead to work with other major artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson, but Guy has stayed loyal to David, performing alongside him up to the most recent tours.

Life as a musician on the road, and in the studio, inspired Guy to write his hilarious "My Bass And Other Animals" book, an essential read for any Floyd fan.

Many happy returns, Guy, from all of us at Brain Damage!