Mark Ronson

Surprise package. I had only heard the Radiohead 'Just' cover once before and bought the album on spec. A great eclectic mix with a mix of horns, groove, soul and funk.

Mark Ronson's a busy man. He's been producing for Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Robbie Williams, yet has still found time to focus on his own studio album.
Comprised of new versions of old classics, it's a very entertaining listen from back to front, featuring the likes of Amy Winehouse, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Daniel Merriweather and Kasabian, all helping Ronson put his considerably fresh and funky twist on familiar tunes.
Highlights include the late ODB rapping to the Britney Spears refix of Toxic, Winehouse making vast improvements on the original with 'Valerie' and Phantom Planet singing an uber cool version of Radiohead's 'Just'.
Impressively suited for a party play through, this is definitely one to pick up for the nearing summer months.
With "Version", super-producer Mark Ronson has set out to prove that pop voyeurism and experimentalism don't have to be bad things using his own unique re-interpretive style.
Hence, he has assembled an album of spectacular cover versions that deliver very alternative versions of modern classics from Coldplay, The Charlatans, Radiohead and The Smiths.
Some listeners will undoubtedly write it off almost instantly as disastrous. Others may take some convincing.
But for many, "Version" is a brave, bold, blast of an album that almost always gets things right.
Ronson, for his part, emerges as a musical artist of the highest calibre -a music innovator whose funk-strewn re-interpretations effortlessly place themselves on the right side of cool.
On the whole, "Version" is a cut above most cover version compilations, as well as a darn fine party album for the approaching summer season. It probably won't impress the die-hard cynics - but for those willing to open their minds, or anyone in search of some expert funk, it delivers the goods in style.
My picks: "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", "Oh My God", "Valerie", "Pretty Green", "Amy", "Just" and "Toxic".

Nice Variety of vocal and musical; in several arrangements, Ronson skillfully blends "big band" and modern sounds in a catchy, distinctive style not common in USA

I like this cd. The songs that are good are real good but over half of the cd is kind of "what the hell is this". But its a good cover album, its still a good buy.

Mark Ronson has been around for a while but really skyrocketed up the "it" list after producing Lily Allen's "Alright, Still" and Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" to stardom in 2006 (but released in the US in 07), so it didn't come as a surprise that he would put out another album (after 2003's Here Comes the Fuzz).

On "Versions" (14 tracks, 46 min.), Ronson continues the semi-throwback Motown/Stax sound he so aptly crafted for Allen and Whinehouse, only he applies it to covers of other artists, mostly with great result. The first half of the album is outstanding, After the instrumental opener, a cover of Coldplay's "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", which features the fantastic Dapkins, Ronson calls on Lily Allen for a delightful version of the Kaiser Chiefs' "Oh My God". Even better is an almost unrecognizable version of Britney Spears' "Toxic", which is my book is miles better than the original. Amy Winehouse is called in on a terrific version of the Zutons' "Valerie" and Maximo Park's version of "Apply Some Pressure" ends a fabulous first half of the album, which I rate 4.5 Stars. After a short instrumental "Inversion", the second half starts, and it is intriguing but not as good. The Ryan Adams cover of "Amy" is a bit too close to the original, as is the Kasabian's cover of "L.S.F." I rate the second half of the album 3.5 stars.

In all, "Versions" is an enjoyable and fun album, no more, no less, with not much pretension other than to get people to move to the music, and of that, Mark Ronson does a great job.

Really shows off Ronson's talent and the guest list really brings weight. The only thing that gets a bit tired is hearing Ronson's name in every other verse. From a marketing stand-point, brilliant, but it sounds as if Ronson himself requested each vocalist to utter his name at least once during each vocal take.

I absolutely love this album! I've been blasting it for the past few months, and I have to say I'm really shocked that it's not more popular. It's really bizarre. I've started playing it to friends at parties and they all love it! I hope this gains more speed soon, cuz I want to hear more like it.

Here Comes The Fuzz is a pretty versatile album. R&B, Rap, Rock, there's plenty to choose from. Even the lineup of artists is versatile. Everyone from Mos Def to Nappy Roots show up to lend a hand....even Rivers Cuomo of Weezer fame makes an appearance. Mark Ronson produces the entire album and there aren't very many tracks on the album that are worth skipping. The sound is hard to describe, but rest assured that you'll dance your ass off while playing this CD. The song folks may remember most at the moment is "Ooh wee" because it's heavily featured in the movie "Hitch" starring Will Smith. That song is just crazy. Put it on in the club and watch the crowd go crazy. I'd have to say the high point on this album for me was hearing Saigon rap. Dude is dumb nice. He has a few underground joints out and should be set to blow up any time now, but his contribution to this album (Diduntdidunt) is just as funny as it is tight. R&B Newcomer Aya blew me away with her song (High) and Tweet & Sean Paul contribute the bouncy reggae flavored joint (International Affair) which is blazin'. And it was great to hear Q Tip spitting hot verses (Tomorrow). It's been such a long time. Even the Mos Def & M.O.P. collabo is tight.

There are a few songs on the album that are suspect though. The title track is lackluster. Freeway sounds lost over rock beats and I've never been the biggest Nikka Costa fan (shorty is terribly overrated). Also, even though Rhymefest rhymes his ass off, "Bout To Get Ugly" was definitely booty (not to mention that I'm getting VERY tired of hearing Anthony Hamilton's voice). Also, Daniel Merriweather's song sounded like a b side to an old Musiq CD or something (I don't mean that in a good way either). But all the negatives end there.

I have to admit that the positive aspects of the album far outweigh the negative ones. Mark Ronson creates some of the most funky and original beats I've heard in a long time. He definitely has potential and I think he definitely has all the tools necessary for him to blow up. I highly reccomend this to anyone looking for some good clean dance music.

Standout Tracks: International Affair feat. Sean Paul & Tweet, Ooh Wee feat. Ghostface, Trife, Nate Dogg, & Saigon (My Favorite), Diduntdidunt feat. Saigon, Bluegrass Stain'd feat. Nappy Roots, High feat. Aya, I Suck feat. Rivers Cuomo, Tomorrow feat. Q Tip & Debi Nova, and On The Run feat. M.O.P. & Mos Def

Love love love the combination of sensational artists, lyrics, instrumentals and the fusion of rock and hip hop!

Man, get this CD and you will quickly add it to your favorites. "Bout to Get Ugly" and "Bluegrass Stained" are my favorites but Mark keeps it fresh throughout the tracks. VERY UNDERATED, LOVE IT!

Surprise package. I had only heard the Radiohead 'Just' cover once before and bought the album on spec. A great eclectic mix with a mix of horns, groove, soul and funk.

Mark Ronson's a busy man. He's been producing for Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Robbie Williams, yet has still found time to focus on his own studio album.
Comprised of new versions of old classics, it's a very entertaining listen from back to front, featuring the likes of Amy Winehouse, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Daniel Merriweather and Kasabian, all helping Ronson put his considerably fresh and funky twist on familiar tunes.
Highlights include the late ODB rapping to the Britney Spears refix of Toxic, Winehouse making vast improvements on the original with 'Valerie' and Phantom Planet singing an uber cool version of Radiohead's 'Just'.
Impressively suited for a party play through, this is definitely one to pick up for the nearing summer months.
With "Version", super-producer Mark Ronson has set out to prove that pop voyeurism and experimentalism don't have to be bad things using his own unique re-interpretive style.
Hence, he has assembled an album of spectacular cover versions that deliver very alternative versions of modern classics from Coldplay, The Charlatans, Radiohead and The Smiths.
Some listeners will undoubtedly write it off almost instantly as disastrous. Others may take some convincing.
But for many, "Version" is a brave, bold, blast of an album that almost always gets things right.
Ronson, for his part, emerges as a musical artist of the highest calibre -a music innovator whose funk-strewn re-interpretations effortlessly place themselves on the right side of cool.
On the whole, "Version" is a cut above most cover version compilations, as well as a darn fine party album for the approaching summer season. It probably won't impress the die-hard cynics - but for those willing to open their minds, or anyone in search of some expert funk, it delivers the goods in style.
My picks: "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", "Oh My God", "Valerie", "Pretty Green", "Amy", "Just" and "Toxic".

Nice Variety of vocal and musical; in several arrangements, Ronson skillfully blends "big band" and modern sounds in a catchy, distinctive style not common in USA

I like this cd. The songs that are good are real good but over half of the cd is kind of "what the hell is this". But its a good cover album, its still a good buy.

Mark Ronson has been around for a while but really skyrocketed up the "it" list after producing Lily Allen's "Alright, Still" and Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" to stardom in 2006 (but released in the US in 07), so it didn't come as a surprise that he would put out another album (after 2003's Here Comes the Fuzz).

On "Versions" (14 tracks, 46 min.), Ronson continues the semi-throwback Motown/Stax sound he so aptly crafted for Allen and Whinehouse, only he applies it to covers of other artists, mostly with great result. The first half of the album is outstanding, After the instrumental opener, a cover of Coldplay's "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", which features the fantastic Dapkins, Ronson calls on Lily Allen for a delightful version of the Kaiser Chiefs' "Oh My God". Even better is an almost unrecognizable version of Britney Spears' "Toxic", which is my book is miles better than the original. Amy Winehouse is called in on a terrific version of the Zutons' "Valerie" and Maximo Park's version of "Apply Some Pressure" ends a fabulous first half of the album, which I rate 4.5 Stars. After a short instrumental "Inversion", the second half starts, and it is intriguing but not as good. The Ryan Adams cover of "Amy" is a bit too close to the original, as is the Kasabian's cover of "L.S.F." I rate the second half of the album 3.5 stars.

In all, "Versions" is an enjoyable and fun album, no more, no less, with not much pretension other than to get people to move to the music, and of that, Mark Ronson does a great job.

Mark Ronson is one of those Americans who can do no wrong in the UK at present - and this album shows why he won an award at the 2008 Brits. It is THE most perfect cover album, brilliantly executed with a great supporting cast, even the interludes are totally fitting and act as leads into the various stellar vocal tracks. As a Brit the standout tracks are Lily Allen covering the Kaiser Cheifs' "Oh My God", the much-troubled but supremely-talented Amy Winehouse on the The Zutons' "Valerie" and the lead single Daniel Merryweather's "Stop Me" medley. If you don't own this album, why not? Go and buy it immediately, you will not be disappointed. I just wish the label would do a DVD of the tracks as they too are superb. Top album from a top producer!

Surprise package. I had only heard the Radiohead 'Just' cover once before and bought the album on spec. A great eclectic mix with a mix of horns, groove, soul and funk.

Mark Ronson's a busy man. He's been producing for Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Robbie Williams, yet has still found time to focus on his own studio album.
Comprised of new versions of old classics, it's a very entertaining listen from back to front, featuring the likes of Amy Winehouse, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Daniel Merriweather and Kasabian, all helping Ronson put his considerably fresh and funky twist on familiar tunes.
Highlights include the late ODB rapping to the Britney Spears refix of Toxic, Winehouse making vast improvements on the original with 'Valerie' and Phantom Planet singing an uber cool version of Radiohead's 'Just'.
Impressively suited for a party play through, this is definitely one to pick up for the nearing summer months.
With "Version", super-producer Mark Ronson has set out to prove that pop voyeurism and experimentalism don't have to be bad things using his own unique re-interpretive style.
Hence, he has assembled an album of spectacular cover versions that deliver very alternative versions of modern classics from Coldplay, The Charlatans, Radiohead and The Smiths.
Some listeners will undoubtedly write it off almost instantly as disastrous. Others may take some convincing.
But for many, "Version" is a brave, bold, blast of an album that almost always gets things right.
Ronson, for his part, emerges as a musical artist of the highest calibre -a music innovator whose funk-strewn re-interpretations effortlessly place themselves on the right side of cool.
On the whole, "Version" is a cut above most cover version compilations, as well as a darn fine party album for the approaching summer season. It probably won't impress the die-hard cynics - but for those willing to open their minds, or anyone in search of some expert funk, it delivers the goods in style.
My picks: "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", "Oh My God", "Valerie", "Pretty Green", "Amy", "Just" and "Toxic".

Nice Variety of vocal and musical; in several arrangements, Ronson skillfully blends "big band" and modern sounds in a catchy, distinctive style not common in USA

I like this cd. The songs that are good are real good but over half of the cd is kind of "what the hell is this". But its a good cover album, its still a good buy.

Mark Ronson has been around for a while but really skyrocketed up the "it" list after producing Lily Allen's "Alright, Still" and Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" to stardom in 2006 (but released in the US in 07), so it didn't come as a surprise that he would put out another album (after 2003's Here Comes the Fuzz).

On "Versions" (14 tracks, 46 min.), Ronson continues the semi-throwback Motown/Stax sound he so aptly crafted for Allen and Whinehouse, only he applies it to covers of other artists, mostly with great result. The first half of the album is outstanding, After the instrumental opener, a cover of Coldplay's "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", which features the fantastic Dapkins, Ronson calls on Lily Allen for a delightful version of the Kaiser Chiefs' "Oh My God". Even better is an almost unrecognizable version of Britney Spears' "Toxic", which is my book is miles better than the original. Amy Winehouse is called in on a terrific version of the Zutons' "Valerie" and Maximo Park's version of "Apply Some Pressure" ends a fabulous first half of the album, which I rate 4.5 Stars. After a short instrumental "Inversion", the second half starts, and it is intriguing but not as good. The Ryan Adams cover of "Amy" is a bit too close to the original, as is the Kasabian's cover of "L.S.F." I rate the second half of the album 3.5 stars.

In all, "Versions" is an enjoyable and fun album, no more, no less, with not much pretension other than to get people to move to the music, and of that, Mark Ronson does a great job.