Mark Ronson’s talent as an orchestrator and arranger comes into sharp focus on this album, as does his little black book of contacts. Anyone familiar with his interpretation of Radiohead’s ‘Just’ for the covers album last year will have a clue as to what’s in store – bold, often brassy arrangements of modern pop stayers. By far the best is a belting cover of the Zutons’ ‘Valerie’ from Ronson’s chum Amy Winehouse, while remakes of Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ and Coldplay’s ‘God Put A Smile Upon Your Face’ are pretty radical. Occasionally Ronson’s approach touches on the formulaic, and Maximo Park and Kasabian don’t come off so well, but when it works you hear songs that are overplayed on the radio in a whole new light – and that can only be a good thing.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
