Having hit the big time with a number of trumpet heavy covers on his 2007 album 'Version', it's nice to see Mark Ronson release some new original compositions. With new band The Business Intl on board, here Ronson rediscovers the funk and hip hop influences of his debut 'Here Come The Fuzz', but they're well camouflaged beneath a new coat of dance, synthpop and light electronica.
While 'Record Collection' is full of guest appearances, few are immediately recognisable, and Mark Ronson's proficient production skills make sure they rarely intrude on his clear ownership of these songs. Pipette's singer Rose Elinor Dougall is the most conspicuous, her clean, feminine lilt joined by Miike Snow's Andrew Wyatt on potential pop hit 'You Gave Me Nothing' and Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald on romantic closer 'The Night Last Night'.
Even Boy George's familiar warble is offset by Wyatt's sharper tones as well as the funky guitar and Caribbean flavours 'Somebody To Love Me'. The retro 80s vibe of lead single 'Bang Bang Bang' worms its way discreetly throughout 'Record Collection' but it is the gospel infused hip hop of 'Introducing the Business' that makes for the album's high point as Pill's rap is juxtaposed with the grand vocal scale of the London Gay Men's Chorus.
Not all collaborations are quite so successful though, as D'Angelo's burbling soul vocals become irritating when combined with dance synths on 'Glass Mountain Trust'. And alone, Ronson fails to pull off a number of short instrumental interludes which add little to proceedings and serve only to disrupt the flow of these otherwise engaging tunes. Thankfully the computer game inspired bounce of 'Circuit Breaker' - the only other track without a guest vocalist - makes for some undeniably childish fun.
An album with broad aspirations, 'Record Collection' will likely appeal to a wide range of music fans, and obliterate any preconceptions about Ronson's musical limitations.
