Feb 2007

Mark Ronson makes a blazing return with 'Version' - his dazzling, culture-clashing new solo LP that finds 14 classic tracks turned on their head and recreated into visionary floor-fillers. Joined by the likes of Robbie Williams and Lily Allen, the eagerly awaited LP is a musical masterstroke and looks set to be the highlight of 2007.

Featuring Dirt McGirt aka ODB spitting verse on Britney's 'Toxic' and Coldplay's 'God Put A Smile Upon Your Face' also getting the once over from Ronson, it's already on heavy rotation across the club circuit and marks the second coming of Britain's most successful ex-pat DJ/Producer.

A man whose musical vision and verve transcends seasons and genres, this is the perfect re-introduction to the man whose production credits this year include Christina Aguilera, Robbie Williams, Ghostface Killah, Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and his Allido proteges Rhymefest and Daniel Merriweather. Using his own unique re-interpretive style, Mark has set out to demonstrate pop voyeurism and experimentalism are not alien forms. Here his eclectic taste has allowed him to pick and rework songs he has loved in a new, original and refreshing format.

Another album highlight is the soulful, stellar Motown revival of The Smiths' classic 'Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before' that merges into 'You Just Keep Me Hanging On' and features the vocals of Australian talent Daniel Merriweather.

• Rolling Stone (p.101) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "VERSION is an audacious set of similar left-field covers turned into dance-soul tracks..."
  Spin (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "^With] sharp arranging skills and suitably angular performances....A stylishly sweaty summer party."
  Entertainment Weekly (p.65) - "VERSION succeeds thanks to Ronson's singular vision of smooth '60s- and '70s-era soul merged with contemporary pop. All in all, it's a bouncy, people-friendly party starter..." -- Grade: A

'Version' is a genre-hopping collection of covers produced by studio maestro Mark Ronson. Featuring a dazzling all-star cast that includes Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and Robbie Williams, Ronson has taken contemporary classics by artists such as The Zutons and Kaiser Chiefs and reworked them into a funk/hip-hop style that will highlight the quality of the songs to a whole new audience. Includes the single 'Stop Me'.

On the 2007 follow-up to his overlooked full-length '03 debut, HERE COMES THE FUZZ, London-born/New York City-based DJ/producer Mark Ronson presents an appealing and inventive set of cover tunes in collaboration with an eclectic array of artists. A hit upon its release in the U.K., the lively single "Stop Me" finds Ronson working with Australian R&B performer Daniel Merriweather on an intriguing club-oriented interpretation of the Smiths' "Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before" that deftly mixes in a chunk of the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On."
Other highlights of VERSION are Ronson's funky take on the Kaiser Chiefs' "Oh My God," which features a typically charming turn by British pop singer Lily Allen, and a horn-led rendition of Radiohead's "Just" that includes vocals by Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald. With its dynamic track listing and guest shots, the entire album is a vibrant party-perfect outing that should win over many listeners outside of Ronson's loyal fanbase.

English, superstar DJ Mark Ronson moved to New York, USA at the age of eight--with his stepfather Mick Jones of AOR veterans Foreigner--Ronson began playing in funk rock bands in his early teens before discovering hip-hop and buying his first decks at the age of 17. He began DJing for club-organizer Peter Gatien and was hired by Sean "Puffy" Combs to play at record company events. Before long, he was playing at parties organized by fashion icons such as Tommy Hilfiger and the cream of the east coast rap scene. His first production successes were remixes for Jay-Z, Outkast and Moby. Ronson used his bulging contact book to great effect when recording his debut album, 2003's HERE COMES THE FUZZ, employing Mos Def, Sean Paul, Nate Dogg, Q-Tip, Jack White (the White Stripes), and Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) as guest vocalists. In 2004, Ronson launched his own Allido label, in partnership with Sony BMG, scoring a notable success two years later with the debut album by rapper Rhymefest. Ronson's second album, VERSION, is one of the most eagerly anticipated sets of 2007