Monday 17 November 2014

Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars Strut Through Retro 'Uptown Funk'

Earlier this month, the Grammy-winning producer Mark Ronson released "Uptown Funk," a cheerful one, in collaboration with Bruno Mars. Now the duo has paired wiry slap bass on that track and galactic synths with an equally retro music video, which finds the two musicians decked out in the late seventies attire as they dance along the streets of the city.


Ronson remains mostly in the background, with Mars taking the spotlight as he straps feel good lyrics for the track. Along the (co-directed by Mars and Cameron Duddy) clip, the couple and their enthusiastic crew enjoy a shoeshine, get their hair permed and jive with confidence with a limousine. Highlights: As Mars sings the line, "Fill my cup, put some liquor in it," one of his friends forces.

"Uptown Funk" is the first single from the upcoming fourth album Ronson, Special Uptown, which drops January 27 on RCA Records. He and Mars, along with a "special guest", the track held Nov. 22 episode of Saturday Night Live.

Most of the Special Residential zone was co-written and produced by Jeff Bhasker Ronson and more than 18 months in studies covering London, Memphis, Los Angeles and New York. The LP also features a number of lyrics by American novelist Michael Chabon, along with significant vocal and instrumental contributions from Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker. Other musical collaborators include Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow, producer Emile Haynie, Simian Mobile Disco James Ford, Hudson Mohawke TNGHT and DJ Zinc.

Ronson previously partnered with Bhasker and Smeezingtons production team for three songs - "Moonshine", "gorilla" and the chart-topping "Locked out of Heaven" - Mars' 2012 LP, Unorthodox Jukebox.