Mick Harvey, Four (Acts of Love) ****

The multi-talented Mr Harvey is best known over here for his collaborations with Nick Cave and namesake PJ Harvey, but the Australian singer, songwriter and producer has also recorded several impressive solo albums in recent years, and his latest skillfully crafted offering serves up an enjoyable blend of original material and stylish re-vamps.

Mick's imaginative song cycle explores the mystery of love via newly minted arrangements of  moving ditties such as Van Morrison's The Way Young Lovers Do and Roy Orbison's Wild Hearts (Run Out Of Time), and he also indulges in a spot of Birthday Party styled punk-jazz with a stand-out cover of Exuma's Summertime in New York.

Out now (Mute CDSTUMM 353: £8.65)

Vladimir Ashkenazy, The Art of Ashkenazy ****

This sublime keyboard collection first saw the light of day in 1999, capturing the Russian pianist at his brilliant best as he tackled pieces by such giants of the genre  as Chopin, Schubert, Mozart and Beethoven.

Sergei Rachmaninov's  contribution to this archive anthology was also central to its success, with Ashkenazy  breathing new life into the composer's Piano Concerto No.2 and three shorter extracts from the great man's repertoire, including a 1986 recording of his much loved Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Out now (Decca 466 4622: £9.89)

James Gang, New Born ***

This gutsy Ohio outfit went through a constant stream of line-up changes during their decade or so together, but they're best remembered these days for providing an early outlet for the erratic  brilliance of Joe Walsh before the guitarist went on to find fame and fortune with The Eagles.

The James Gang were very much on their last legs by the time that New Born was released in 1975, but aided and abetted by legendary producer Tom Dowd they managed to assemble a solid if uninspired rock package for their  Atlantic Records debut, including gritty gems such as Merry-Go-Round and Earthshaker alongside  a robust revamp of Heartbreak Hotel.

Out now (Cherry Red/Lemon CDLEM 217: £9.75)

Runrig, Stepping Down The Glory Road ****

Weighty archive anthologies are all the rage these days, and this invigorating six CD set is one of the best that I've come across recently.

As a showcase for Runrig's distinctively Celtic brand of rock it's well nigh irresistible, bringing together the entire contents of the six albums that the Scottish outfit recorded for Chrysalis during the early eighties and early nineties, along with associated singles and EPs.

Runrig were also very successful in Denmark and Germany during this period, and rabble-rousing tracks such as Protect and Survive, Alba and their live singalong version of Loch Lomond capture the essence of the band's unique appeal.

Out now (Chrysalis Records: £18.86)

The Polyphonic Spree, Yes It's True ****

The Texan oddballs' tuneful brand of life-affirming choral pop-rock first won the hearts of British audiences when they appeared at David Bowie's Meltdown a decade or so ago, and Yes It's True marks the 22-strong outfit's first new album of original material since 2007's The Fragile Army.

Creative mainstay Tim DeLaughter has concocted a typically diverse and upbeat collection for your listening pleasure, with You Don't Know Me, Popular by Design and Battlefield emerging as the best of an eclectic bunch.

Released on August 5th (Cherry Red CDBRED 588: £9.19)