It's hard to imagine how producer, DJ, artist, and Allido label boss Mark Ronson found the time to bring this album to fruition. Somehow, in the midst of producing some of the most defining sounds of 2006 and 2007 - Lily Allen's debut? Check. Christina Aguilera's most recent full-length 'Back To Basics?' Check. Amy Winehouse's stunning album with its hit song "Rehab?" Check. - Ronson was able to conceive, curate, create, record and compile 'Version,' an album nothing short of perfect. Inspired by the masterwork albums of the 60s by Quincy Jones and Herb Alpert who embodied their musical favorites of the times as they heard them, Mark took to the studio with an army of friends and guest stars (although, he says, "the real guest stars are the songs themselves") to re-explore some of his favorite modern classics.

Using the same Midas touch that turned Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen into pop gold, Ronson set about recording his album of covers which not only showcases his love of hip hop beats and British alternative rock, but also the soul, funk, psychedelia, pop and disco that his record collection spans. The result re-writes the rulebook on cover versions. The Smiths' "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" is reworked as a lush, soulful orchestral R&B track with a sample from The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hanging On.” Coldplay's "God Put A Smile On Your Face" manifests itself as New Orleans' funk courtesy of The Dapking Horns, while Britney Spears' "Toxic" is completely transformed by the soulful crooning of Tiggas and the free form rapping of the late Dirt McGirt (aka Ol' Dirty Bastard). His two most recent success stories also make crucial appearances for on Kaiser Chief's "Oh My God" (Lily Allen) and The Zutons "Valerie" (Amy Winehouse), both songs so ubiquitous in the UK that it took large cojones to revisit them so soon after their own chart success. The fact that it works says much for Ronson's artistic vision. What will he think of next?

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