Mark Ronson, Ex-Pat NYC based British musical auteur returns with the release of his brand new musical project 'Version' on Columbia Records, April 16th. Internationally renowned as one of the worlds finest DJs, uber-producer du jour, solo artist, band leader, label boss amongst (many) other things is joined on 'Version' by an array of singers; including the irrepressible musical talents of Dirt McGirt aka ODB (R.I.P) spitting verse on Britney's 'Toxic', Robbie Williams nailing The Charlatans' seminal 'Only One I Know' as if it was his own, in fact making it his own, and then there's Lily Allen on a phenomenal interpolation of The Kaiser Chiefs 'Oh My God'. Here you'll also find a bustling funk-tified cover of The Jam's 'Pretty Green' sits alongside thunderous versions of Ryan Adam's 'Amy', and Coldplay's 'God Put A Smile Upon My Face', both bringing crescendo and euphoria to the melancholy from which they were born. Elsewhere he re-constructs a new version of Kanye West's 'Touch The Sky', reuniting it with it's original form, courtesy of Curtis Mayfield's 'Moving On Up', before climaxing into Kings Of Leon's 'Pistols Of Fire', Kasabian's 'LSF' and The Smith's seminal 'Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before' also take a ride on the Ronson soultrain. You may be familiar perhaps with his version of Radiohead's 'Just' – the re-jigged, recorded and layered with added hip hop beats, soulful progression, funk ballast and vocals courtesy of Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet that rocked the airwaves and dancefloors around the world and even won praise from the bands Ed O'Brian. 'Just' was a catalyst in the conceptualisation and creation of 'Version', a visionary new album project that see's Mark taking on some of contemporary pop music's big hitters in a similar vein. Using his own unique re-interpretive style, Mark has set out to demonstrate pop voyeurism and experimentalism are not alien forms. Here his eclectic taste has allowed him to pick and rework songs he has loved in a new, original and refreshing format. 'Version' is a positive, never derivative, journey through the art of the song…with added horns thrown in for good measure. "With my first album, I had all these people like Mos Def and M.O.P guesting. This time its not about that. Despite the big names, it's about the songs…The songs here are the guest stars. With 'Version' I've taken these songs that I love and turned them into Motown/Stax 70's versions. I keep the utmost respect and appreciation for the original versions of songs I use. It's not like I'm thinking it's a shit song that I can make good, it's more like it's a great song and I'm now going to make it bounce." Mark released his own massively acclaimed, shamefully ignored and criminally unworked debut solo album 'Here Comes The Fuzz' in 2003 through Elektra right before the label imploded as it was. In the wake of the label/album's demise, it is as a producer where Mark has found his rhythm and sound. P.T.O Production credits over the past 12 months include tracks on new/forthcoming new albums by Christina Aguilera, Robbie Williams, Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, GHOSTFACE KILLAH, his Allido protégés Rhymefest & Daniel Merriweather to name but a handful. His label Allido Records, released 'Blue Collar' EARLIER THIS YEAR, the debut album from Grammy winning Chi-town rap sensation Rhymefest, with Australian wunderkind Daniel Merriweather (That's him killing it on 'Stop Me') to follow in the next 12 months. He is the current face of DKNY (LAST YEAR, PROBABLY NO LONGER RELEVANT) but doesn't talk about that stuff at all. Oh and then there is his live band…a full on funk-soul-hop-pop revue that you need in your life. Back to the business in hand, 'Version' is the sound of Mark Ronson…A man who's musical vision and verve transcends seasons and genres, where Biggie Smalls can sit on a cloud humming along with Al Green to an old Ryan Adams cut and where Nile Rodgers can jam with Sly And The Family Stone whilst the UK's biggest popstar revisits Baggy for kicks and where music is music. It's a beautiful place that hopefully you'll love visiting again and again.