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Mark Ronson spins a new Version

Mark Ronson

Story by Jack Foley

MARK Ronson is poised to make a blazing return on April 16 with Version, his culture-clashing new solo LP that finds 12 classic tracks turned on their head and recreated into floor-fillers.

Joined by the likes of Robbie Williams and Lily Allen, the eagerly awaited LP could welcome become one of the highlights of 2007.

And to celebrate, a highly collectible, numbered 10” vinyl featuring Toxic and God Put A Smile Upon Your Face will hit shelves from January 29.

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.

Ronson’s production credits include Christina Aguilera, Robbie Williams, Ghostface Killah, Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and his Allido protégés Rhymefest & 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 looks set to be 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.

“With my first album, I had all these people like Mos Def and M.O.P guesting,” explained Mark. “This time it’s not about that. Despite the big names, it’s about the songs… the songs here are the guest stars.

“With Version I’ve taken these songs that I love and turned them into Motown/Stax 70’s versions. I keep the utmost respect and appreciation for the original versions of songs I use.

“It’s not like I’m thinking it’s a shit song that I can make good, it’s more like it’s a great song and I’m now going to make it bounce.”

The album Version is released on April 16 and we can’t wait to hear it in full.