Richard Williams

Arlene Smith, who has died aged 84, was the lead singer of the Chantels, one of the earliest influential girl groups. Her powerful vocal on the 1958 hit “Maybe,” which sold more than a million copies, helped establish the emotional and musical template later followed by groups including the Shirelles, Crystals, Chiffons and Ronettes. After financial exploitation and the collapse of the group’s record label, Smith pursued an unsuccessful solo career, returned to study at Juilliard, formed a later version of the Chantels, and taught music in Bronx schools until retirement.

Brian Case, who has died aged 88, is remembered for incisive, culturally expansive writing on jazz, popular music, film and literature. His career included work at the NME, Melody Maker and Time Out, where he served as film editor, senior feature writer and books editor during the magazine’s heyday. Born in south London, Case studied history at Hull University, served in the RAF, taught, and published the novel The Users in 1968. He is survived by his wife Sonia and daughters Daisy and Molly.

Franco Baresi, who has died aged 66 after a period of ill health, is remembered as one of Italian football's finest defenders. He spent his entire 20-year professional career with AC Milan, captaining the club for 15 seasons and winning six Serie A titles and two European Cups. A technically assured and authoritative centre-back, he formed a celebrated defensive line with Alessandro Costacurta, Mauro Tassotti and Paolo Maldini. Baresi also represented Italy 81 times, reaching the 1990 World Cup semi-final and captaining the team in the 1994 final, where he missed a penalty in the shootout defeat by Brazil. After retiring, he briefly worked at Fulham and later coached Milan's youth teams. He is survived by his wife, Maura, their sons Edoardo and Giannandrea, and his brother Giuseppe.

Plas Johnson, the Louisiana-born saxophonist who became a pioneering Black session musician in Los Angeles, has died aged 94. Renowned for his versatility across saxophones, flute and clarinet, he performed on major recordings by artists including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Linda Ronstadt, and played the distinctive tenor saxophone line on Henry Mancini’s hit theme from The Pink Panther. After decades of largely uncredited studio work and a long stint on The Merv Griffin Show, Johnson gained broader recognition later in life through jazz albums, club performances and international festivals. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Britain is developing a divided labour market in which secure, career-oriented jobs coexist with expanding part-time, low-paid and pensionless work. Richard Williams argues that this casualization disproportionately harms young people seeking independence, while claims that immigration causes unemployment lack evidence and fuel racism. He criticizes successive governments for failing to address structural youth unemployment and calls for a radical review of the jobs market, beyond apprenticeships and expanded education schemes.