Western Australia’s dope outfit Tame Impala has received many spins here on the Couch. Their album Innerspeaker which dropped last year instantly had us addicted to their 60′s style psychedelia and infectious melodies. So I was pretty excited to come across this acoustic cover of one our favorite tracks, “Solitude Bliss” performed by Mark Ronson & The Business Int’l. The lead vocals are courtesy of British vocalist Rose Elinor Dougall (of The Pipettes) and Mike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt (both of whom appeared on Ronson’s Record Collection album).

Hopefully some live visuals will surface soon but for now, peep the tune below.

Mark Ronson and The Business International – Solitude Is Bliss (Tame Impala)

Mark Ronson has crafted an entire career around the concept of being a soulful outlier in the world of mainstream pop. Kicking off his career as a major label album releasing DJ, musician and producer with 2003′s debut Here Comes the Fuzz and notable lead single “Oooh Weee.” Ronson’s ability to blend soulful leanings with an attraction to off kilter collaborative combinations makes him to soul what Diplo has become to hip hop. The one person in the room who is an expert at coaxing what is rapidly becoming an expected excellence out of the most unexpected of places. Now, onto his third and most focused release, Mark Ronson and the Business International’s Record Collection, he appears to have reached a level of supreme comfort in his unusual craftsmanship, and delivers an album that confirms his genius as a master producer.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Mark Ronson joins a very small handful of independent and underground producers as being the most important progressive creative forces of the last decade. Listen to the brilliant Britney Spears by way of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins reintrepretation of “Toxic,” Lily Allen’s take on the Kaiser Chiefs’ “Oh My God,” Daniel Merriweather’s slaying of The Smiths’ “Stop Me” and the legend of arguably Amy Winehouse’s finest vocal performance ever, her cover of The Zutons’ “Valerie” from 2007′s Versions as proof that he had arrived, and Record Collection as proof he has the skills to stay around. Ronson makes things simple. A concept needs a sound. Ronson seeks out the perfect auteurs for the sound, lays the track, and the performers don’t exceed their capabilities, rather they meet them, and the track does the rest of the work, carrying the combination to a place of legend. Q-Tip and MNDR’s Amanda Warner on the lead single could only happen on a Mark Ronson album with such tremendous results like lead single with Francophonic hook of the year “Bang Bang Bang.” Ronson plugs into the ultra reclusive cool of grandfather of blipster culture Spank Rock and in aligning him with Scottish crooner Kyle Falconer, current single “The Bike Song” is excellent in its quirky hipster friendly indie pop realm.

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The true sonic grace and recorded monstrosities on this album come when Ronson finally extends himself into unfamiliar territory, in working with legends instead of talented unknowns and almost theres. English pop singers seem to have universally grown up as fans of American soul. Simon LeBon of Duran Duran proved this on the duo’s big 1993 return The Wedding Album with “Ordinary World” and “Come Undone.” Boy George infused Culture Club’s 1983 smash Colour by Numbers with poppier yet soulful intonations, and eponymous soundtrack hit as a solo artist from the film The Crying Game is a now underrated, yet Grammy award winning pop ballad that is often forgotten. Both of these men find their way onto this album, and both slay their tracks, as Boy George, in collaborating with Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt breathes a timeless effervescence into lovelorn yearner “Somebody to Love Me.” Two step and funky emcee Wiley joins forces with LeBon for the unexpectedly solid eponyomous album title single, proving that Ronson continues to improve.

However, his work with younger emcees like Atlanta’s Pill, oft collaborator Ghostface Killah and a most notably a hook from “back from the back of the milk carton” file soul urban legend D’Angelo on “Glass Mountain Trust” underwhelm as Ronson attempts to stay true to his hip hop roots, but on an album steeped in new school craftsmanship derived from dusty soul records, they are excellent as expected, but short of a standard that for the average producer is excellent, but for the excellent producer is only mediocre. His work with understated Morrissey devotee Theophilus London and ex-Pipette Rose Elinor Dougall on “Hey Boy” for the mood of this release outside of the mainstream trending lead singles.

In final, Mark Ronson’s Record Collection shows a producer at the height of his craft. As he grows in comfort with his status as a future legend, the results will only improve. The hardest thing about crafting a road less traveled, is developing the skill to smooth the path. Ronson’s development is notable, and this album succeeds because of it.

Mark Ronson has always had a penchant for retro.  I have said this in posts about other artists, and it most certainly holds true for Ronson’s newest music:  it sounds like he went “back to the future” to create his signature sound, and I ain’t mad at it.  His latest incarnation is Mark Ronson and the Business Intl (yes folks, that’s shorthanded on purpose.  Apparently he is too busy to bother with spelling the word “international” out in full, or even adding an apostrophe between the “t” and the “l.”  Sign o’ the Twitter times I guess).  Here are a handful of tunes off his new album titled Record Collection, which is scheduled for U.S. release on September 28, 2010:

First up:  “The Bike Song.”  Starts of interestingly enough with Spank Rock chanting “I ride around town/ around-round-around/with the petal to the met-/the pedal to wherever.”  It’s reminiscent of the Sugar Hill Gang-type rapping, which I grew up listening to and can’t get enough of.  Then comes the lead vocals, performed by Kyle Falconer of the Scottish rock band The View.

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Kyle Falconer sounds and looks like a long lost member of The Monkees (shout out to Davy Jones).  The song makes me want to go out and buy a bike so that I can listen to this song whilst riding it (yeah, I don’t own a bike…don’t judge me).  “Gonna ride my bike until I get home” goes the chorus.  There’s even a chingly bike bell-horn effect.  Spank Rock comes back with a nerderific verse that fits in rather nicely.  It’s so British, so gleeful, and so…green!

Next up:  “Bang Bang Bang,” which includes Q-Tip and Amanda Warner of the electro-duo MNDR (pronounced “Mandar”).  This track would be considered more on the futuristic side, even though there is a strong 80’s synth presence throughout (it’s that “back to the future” shit, y’all!!!).  Tip’s delivery is on point as per usual, and the video is quite the cosmopolitan affair with MNDR’s super-catchy French chorus and Mark Ronson’s interview conducted in French and Japanese.  Point blank:  the song is pretty dope.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Last up:  “Lose It (In The End)” featuring the always lyrically adept Ghostface Killah.  I love love love this joint right here!!!  At 2 minutes 25 seconds, it’s a short and sweet number.  Ghost didn’t disappoint when he snuck onto Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” and he doesn’t disappoint here.  This track makes me wish that Mark Ronson would produce Ghostface’s next album.

Click here to view the embedded video.

So:  take some 80s breakbeats and synths, mix in a lil’ 60s-70s panache, and sprinkle it with the optimism and freshness of the year 2010 and beyond, and you’ve got Mark Ronson’s latest sound.  Not too much of a deviation from what he’s done in the past, but there’s definitely a more pronounced British-ness to these songs that makes me feel the pride that Mark has for his homeland.  It’s that “back to the future” shit, y’all!  The revolution might not be televised, but I guarantee you’ll catch a glimpse of it if you take a look through Ronson’s Record Collection.

Mark Ronson – Bang Bang Bang feat MNDR and Q-Tip

Just the other day I was wondering if Mark Ronson simply gave up on music. After his success with Amy Winehouse he kind of took some Ls with his Versions project (critically panned but I liked it) and his Allido imprint never getting off the ground.

Glad to see Mr. Ronson back with a new project called Mark Ronson & the Business and the album titled Record Collection. Ronson, is recruiting everybody from Ghostface to UK grimester Wiley, to D’Angelo (!!!!) for this project. The first track to drop is Bang Bang Bang featuring Q-Tip and MNDR (who looks like Kesh$a’s replacement, but sounds a lot better). Good look so far. (via FADER)

Chauffeur – Soles Of Fire

So from the looks of it, Chauffeur, the new “group” consisting of Mark Ronson, Sam Sparro & Theophilus London seems like bait for bloggers like me to instantly crown them as the next big thing. Well, I’m taking said bait (sort of) because the potential of three of my favorite names in music today getting together could be huge.

Chauffeur premiered at the Levi’s/FADER Fort this past weekend for CMJ and the track hit FADER yesterday. It’s all an advertisement for Gucci shoes, but I’m hoping these cats collaborate more in the future.

All photos: (c) Jaecyne Howell, MoonRisingNYC.com/Giant Step

Unfortunately, I was not able to make it up to NYC this past weekend for not one, but two events celebrating birthday of Michael Jackson. While the Spike Lee event went on in Brooklyn, Q-Tip led an all star crew in Manhattan’s Nokia Theatre. With a lineup that included support from Mark Ronson, a call from Quincy Jones and Solange Knowles, Marsha Ambrosius, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Premier and Anthony Anderson in the building.

I’m humbled to know that I share a birthday week with the King of Pop, and even though he has passed, his music will always be with us.

Full Gallery

VIDEO NSFW (The nipples are blurred out, but still…)

I already think that this video is one of the best of the year, but could this take this the best beat of the year honors as well? Kano’s album 140 Grime Street dropped in the UK last September and some over there are billing this as the London’s answer to Tha Carter III. If you don’t know what the video is referring to, then I suggest you re-watch New Jack City. I think this is probably one of the best videos of the year. What do y’all think?

Wiley – Cash In My Pocket

Wiley – Cash In My Pocket

Last time we heard from Wiley, the dude was calling his record company out on the Internets. Apparently, Wiley and The Man hugged it out, because his album, See Clear Now drops in the UK in January. His track Cash In My Pocket just dropped on the Internets (via DDoff) featuring Daniel Merriweather, and although the beat is dope, the hook is one of the most annoying things I’ve heard this year. Seriously, I can’t stand Autotune, but they need to throw some on this track.

Wiley describes See Clear Now as an “official” pop record, featuring collaborations with Lily Allen, Hot Chip, and Mark Ronson. I take it grime is officially dead, however, I’m curious to see how this album turns out.

Taiwah

Taiwah - Every Step

Sorry people, I have a MAD late pass with this one. If you don’t know, Taiwah is a South London based soul artist who is dropping some killer tunes right now. The 21 year old songstress is best known for working with Mark Ronson (who seems to be the Lil’ Wayne of the UK producer game right now), on his Versons LP that dropped last year though I wasn’t really feeling her contribution. However, her EP, titled In Jodi’s Bedroom, is simply amazing. It’s vaulting up my best album list as I type.

myspace.com/tawiah

Rhymefest, who is by far one of the most underrated rappers in the game speaks about his new album, El Che as well as his role as a Global Hip-Hop ambassador. Download his Man In The Mirror mixtape while you can.

Got the press release here. Props to Wale for putting DC on the map!

Wale signs a joint deal with Interscope and Mark Ronson’s Allido records. Ronson, who has actually produced some fly hip-hop tracks before, will produce the upcoming album. This is a tremendous thing for the DC area. A rising tide lifts all boats, and Wale’s success will def. get people to look at other acts from DC. And remember where, we’ve been profiling this dude for almost 2 years.

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – It has just been announced on 93.9 WKYS that DC-area hip hop artist, Wale, has signed with Interscope Records in a joint venture deal with three-time Grammy award winning producer Mark Ronson’s Allido Records.

Wale, 23, has seen a tremendous amount of success for an unsigned hip hop artist over the past year, gracing the covers of URB and DNR magazines, doing remixes for Justice, Chris Brown and MIA, performing at the MTV Video Music Awards, song licenses with Nike, ENTOURAGE and MTV and a growing internet buzz surrounding his most recent mixtape 100 MILES AND RUNNING and his upcoming Seinfeld-inspired project, THE MIXTAPE ABOUT NOTHING. Entertainment Weekly recently reported that the mixtape features a skit from Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Wale signed a production deal with DJ-turned-producer Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Christina Aguilera) in June of 2007 after impressing him on Ronson’s European tour. Following an intense, six-month bidding war, Wale signed to a joint venture between Allido Records and Interscope, saying Jimmy Iovine, Luke Wood and the whole Interscope staff understood his vision better than anyone else.

“Look at their track record,” said Wale via phone on his way to perform at a Justice concert in DC. “Dre, Eminem, 50, Pharrell, Timbaland, Black Eyed Peas, Soulja Boy…the list goes on.”

“This is the best possible situation we could ask for,” says Daniel Weisman, Wale’s manager. “We waited and kept grinding until someone came with something we felt reflected the work we’ve put in; Interscope got it.”

Mark Ronson will executive produce Wale’s untitled debut album and contribute production to the project due out in fall. Other tentative contributors include past Wale-collaborators Osinachi (“Nike Boots”) and Best Kept Secret (“Back In The Go Go”), along with Just Blaze, Pharrell, Kanye West, 9th Wonder, Justice and DJ Toomp.

Allido Records is a New York City-based label founded in 2004 by Mark Ronson and former manager, Rich Kleiman. Allido Records has put out releases by Rhymefest and Daniel Merrieather through J Records, and by Mark Ronson through RCA. Wale’s album will be the first release through their new joint venture deal with Interscope.

Van Hunt – On the Jungle Floor – When I first got this CD, I hated it, but over the course of about 5 or 6 listens, I gots to say that this disc is gonna be hot when it drops next month. It’s not the “chill with your girl CD,” that his first CD was, but it’s more on the “lets funk out and party type vibe.” Full review expected soon.

Better Than Yours presents The Boondocks – Yes, I’m gonna put out a disclaimer that I know this cat personally, but still I’m still going to give the man props. The mixtape is proper. Peep it here.

Mark Ronson - Here Comes the Fuzz – I got this CD for 99 cents, and it’s one of the hottest CD’s I own. If ya’ll don’t know who Mark Ronson is, you gotta read up. Most recently, he scored a deal with Rhymefest, but before that, the dude has produced for everyone from Nappy Roots to Sean Paul to Weezer. If you find this CD on the 99 cent rack, buy one for you and for your friend.

Wale Oyejide – One Day…Everything Changed – There are some CD’s that make you thank Al Gore for inventing the Internets. This is one of them. I wouldn’thave heard about this disc until I stumbled on a writeup on Wale Oyejide on some random J Dilla tribute post. I don’tknow too much about Wale, but apparently the dude has enough clout to recruit Dilla and MF Doom for his disc, which dropped in 2004. It’s a fabulous combination of hip-hop, jazz, and afro beat and it is a must buy. Cop this. Seriously.