Andrew Poppy - live at the Chelsea Theatre

I went to see Andrew Poppy live for the first time last night. A gig I've been waiting 20 years to see! Having followed his work since the ZTT era - the now 20-odd year old Beating of Wings - across work with choirs, orchestras, electronics and small ensembles, I really wasn't sure what to expect.

Actually this wasn't quite the first time I'd seen Mr Poppy live. I attended an unexpectedly moving concert by the BBC Concert Orchestra in 2006. Maximinimalists II, where they played 32 Frames for Orchestra alongside Gavin Bryars Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet and Howard Skempton's Lento. Poppy took a bow at the end. It was high-impact minimalism and quite an unforgettable night.

But back to last night. I'd previously reviewed his new album - ...and the Shuffle of Things - as like a 'Best Of', because it pulls together all those areas - the electronics, the ambience, the minimalism, the orchestricks - with such ease. And the concert version, as it turned out, added a coherence as he played through the album in its entirety, narrating, improvising and plugging things in, while all the while obscured behind a cinema-size opaque screen onto which extracts, lyrics, texts and images where projected.

I once wrote that Andrew Poppy's music was like film soundtrack that didn't need films, such is the imagination, and at times graphic intensity. Played out live, this kept the entire (sold out) audience on their toes, enthralled and - between tracks - in hushed anticipation. I can't wait until next time... which will hopefully come quicker than 20 years...

Ultravox – Vienna (EMI) and Rage in Eden (EMI)

Ultravox enjoyed what’s since become known as the ‘Beautiful South effect’ in the latter stages of the eighties. In other words, some major singles, some far less major singles, and some patchy album sales all given a massive boost at both the cash till and the credibility stakes by a well put together Best Of. It’s Ultravox’s Best Of, The Collection, that’s always been the cornerstone of their back catalogue but hopefully that will change with the start of a major reissue campaign in which EMI is taking their original Chrysalis albums and adding very impressive bonus discs.

Yes, Vienna has that song but it also has the great single All Stood Still and, on Disc Two, all of the B-sides and vinyl-only bonus tracks from the era and two tracks being heard for the first time: All Stood Still and Sleepwalk both recorded at concert rehearsals.

With no Vienna, Rage in Eden was always destined to be the overlooked classic. And behind the powerful, original sleeve (reinstated after a lengthy legal dispute) is an album ripe for reconsideration. And its bonus disc has a whole stack of treats including six tracks recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon on 17 October 1981 and two previously unreleased “Work In Progress” mixes of Thin Wall and Stranger Within.

David Guetta – Jack Is Back (Beatport.net)

According to the man himself, this track has a “real old school, acid house feeling… totally different from my usual stuff, but as much a reflection of my taste as my crossover productions.” It’s available for free download from the deep-end dance MP3 store, Beatport. “Beatport is my favourite record store,” Guetta explains, “because it speaks to the scene where I’m coming from. Some of my records have crossed over, but this is still the scene that matters most for me. After all these fantastic years I’ve had, I thought it would be cool to make some underground tracks again – and I had the idea to give this one away to thank the clubbers for their support.”

Moon High – We Believe (rcrdlbl.com)

There’s a very strange video on YouTube of this track being performed live at The Oregon Express in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Strange, but suitably so, given the breezy 60s psyche vibe of this new, upcoming band. Check the rough and ready YouTube video or - better still - download two of their new songs for free from the superb and technically very innovative RCRD LBL website at rcrdlbl.com/2008/07/08/exclusive_download_moon_high_we_believe_where_you_go.

Amie Miriello – Coldfront (arjanwrites.com)

Amie Miriello was discovered by the same A&R team that brought the world Beyonce Knowles and Destiny's Child. She releases her debut single this month and, rather than the supersonic mainstream pop you might expect, it's something far more delicate and pleasing - a little Tori Amos here, a little alt.country there. Coldfront is a taster for her debut album, a legit MP3 downlaod (as are all releases reviewed in Download Collector) courtesy of legendary pop blog Arjan Writes, at www.arjanwrites.com/arjanwrites/2008/07/free-download-a.html.

Estelle – Magnificent (timesonline.co.uk)

American Boy – Estelle’s brilliant March number one – is certainly one of the juiciest, most addictive R&B hits of the year. For a free, additional track all you have to do is hand over your email address to The Times and you can download the more reggae-centric Magnificent, featuring Kardinal Offishall, which is available at myfreedownload.co.uk/estelletimesonline.

Dirty Pretty Things – Hippy’s Son (dirtyprettythings.trinitystreetdirect.com)

Sounding like a hardcore mash-up of The Beatles and The Jam, Hippy’s Son is a new, exclusive track from Dirty Pretty Things available only on their website. It’s free of charge too – all you have to do is sign up to their mailing list. Bargain!