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After the success of his version of Radiohead’s ‘Just’, Ronson has come back to do a whole album. ‘Just’ is included here with Alex Greenwald on vocals and the magnificent Dap Kings Horn Section. This track acts as a template for the rest of the album even though the rest is a bit of a hotch-potch of source material.

Ms Spears’ ‘Toxic’, Coldplay’s ‘God Put A Smile Upon Your Face’, The Smith’s ‘Stop Me’ (the single with a Chicken Lips remix) for starters.

In addition to working with Lily ‘Oh! My God’ Allen’s on her album, the other two star names he’s helped recently also turn up here. Amy Winehouse’ (Back To Black has been a big success) and the less well-received Robbie Williams (The Charlatans big one ‘The Only One I Know’)

Amy on ‘Valerie’ is sweet Motown pop-soul but if you’ve seen her on tour this year, they’ve missed a trick as Toots & The Maytal’s ‘Monkey Man’ would have been that much better.

Talking of pressure, Paul Smith on ‘Apply Some Pressure’ is a track most noticeable for the big string arrangement; Ronson obviously has some big Quincy Jones/Oliver Nelson aspirations. However, Ronson started out as a b-boy so you can see why he’d hip hop up ‘Toxic’ but I prefer the instrumental version they released as a promo before Christmas

One that doesn’t quite work is the off-ska mad bongo workout on ‘Pretty Green’ originally on The Jam’s last knockings album Sound Affects (Foxton/Buckler reforming The Jam without Weller, why?)

Now I’m not one to own up to guilty pleasures too readily, but Kasabian’s ‘LSF’ rocked in 2004 like the proverbial kick up the rock’n’roll aspect. Of course, that’s been their pinnacle to-date and Ronson’s version reminds us of how good a tune it was.

Even thou’ Mark is a big fan of Aaron laCrate, there are no B-more covers (which would have been interesting to say the least) but that said, at its best, this is a great album; especially if you haven’t heard the originals..

Mark is a must see act, either as legendary DJ (particular the brilliant gig at Bestival or as a live outfit. It’s been recently announced he’ll be at Creamfields festival this year (see links below) so watch out for other gigs that are sure to be happening as this is going to be a big year for the ex-pat.

Hectic Mix nomination: ‘Just’, ‘God Put A Smile Upon Your Face’, ‘Oh My God’ (can we have an instrumental version?), ‘Toxic’ (Inst), L.S.F.

Reviewed: Mark Ronson — Versions (BMG) Cat. No. 88697080032 Release date: 16th April 2007
Tracklisting:
1. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face feat. The Daptone Horns
2. Oh My God feat. Lily Allen
3. Stop Me feat. Daniel Merriweather
4. Toxic feat. Tiggers and ODB
5. Valerie (Version Revisted) feat. Amy Winehouse
6. Apply Some Pressure feat. Paul Smith
7. Inversion
8. Pretty Green feat. Santo Gold
9. Just
10. Amy feat. Kenna
11. The Only One I Know feat. Robbie Williams
12. Diversion
13. L.S.F. feat. Kasabian
14. Outversion

Links:
www.markronson.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/markronson
www.phantomplanet.com/
www.kaiserchiefs.co.uk
www.kaizerchiefs.com
www.musicomh.com/interviews/kaiser-chiefs.htm
Creamfields UK 2007 www.creamfields.com
Saturday 25th August Bank Holiday Weekend, Daresbury, Halton, Cheshire, 3pm — 6am, Capacity: 40,000 Tickets: £57.00+BF On Sale Now Info: Tel: 0151 707 1309
This year’s event is more eclectic than ever with the Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada, Kelis, Mark Ronson, Carl Cox, Eric Morillo and 2 Many DJ’s headlining — and Artic Monkey’s producers Simian Mobile Disco and Indie Rave band New Young Pony Club topping the bill of 12 live acts heading to Cheshire. Carl Cox returns to Creamfields for the first time in seven years — making the journey for one of only two festival performances. He fittingly headlines the Cream & Goodgreef Arena.