Mark Ronson: Version (Import) Vinyl 2LP

Mark Ronson's covers album, released when he was nearing the peak of his powers and coming into his own as a producer off the back of Amy Winehouse's Back To Black. Available on vinyl for the first time in 10+ years. Original 2007 Lab review:

Folks have been waiting on this album from Mark Ronson for years now, ever since his unorthodox cover versions started bleeding out on message boards in frustratingly low bitrates. In the meantime, he's become one of the most in-demand producers around, and this album (all covers, as the title implies) shows precisely why. Ronson's horns-and-strings take on The Smiths ("Stop Me") and sleazy, slumpy cover of Britney's "Toxic" are well-known to Labfolk, but the novelty joints aren't even the best ones here - the best ones are the semi-current Brit-rock hits that Ronson tweaks and reinterprets flawlessly. Maximo Park's Paul Smith lends his vocals to a funky version of Maximo's own great "Apply Some Pressure," while the Daptone horns really whup Coldplay on a cover of "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face." (Actually, the Daptone guys provide a lot of assistance on this album - another secret weapon.) More to check: Lily Allen taking on Kaiser Chiefs with "Oh My God" and Santigold on "Pretty Green." Also features the Radiohead cover "Just" and vocals from Robbie Williams, Amy Winehouse and Kenna. 14 tracks; double LP.

• black double vinyl pressing
• first time on vinyl in 10+ years
• high-quality European import
• original release year: 2007
• music label: Columbia 2025

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red 07/2007