Mark Ronson – Uptown Special
3/5
Releasing one of the top songs of 2015 before anyone had a chance to change their calendar, Mark Ronson hit the retro-sweet spot with his latest album Uptown Special. Presumably without the help of a time-machine (although who can be certain), Uptown Special revives the funk and soul of the 80’s vicariously through the bodies and voices of modern day superstars.
Stevie Wonder, a man who helped craft the 80’s sound, features his harmonica skills on the slow opener “Uptown’s First Finale”, which then proceeds into the speed bump of a track “Summer Breaking” featuring Kevin Parker (a.k.a. Tame Impala). The album only begins to take off with the funk-fuelled hip-hop song “Feel Right“ featuring the trigger-happy rapping of Mystikal. The combination of the sweet and smooth guitar riff with Mystikal’s rough and raspy vocals rewinds to the sounds of early 2000 hip-hop.
Expectations were high with the well-received release of “Uptown Funk“, featuring the James Brown-channelling Bruno Mars, and the fourth track on the album is a perfect example of Ronson’s lack of originality; however, the sound that lead the charts decades ago comfortably finds its place at the top with the irresistible funk sound.
Kevin Parker makes a second attempt at lo-fi/electro groove with “Daffodils”; his echoing vocals effects blend seamlessly with the looping guitar riff and futuristic synthesizers. “Crack in the Pearl” follows, with similar sounding artist Andrew Wyatt (better known as Miike Snow). Ambient and minimalistic, the song is an excellent prelude as you search for the “next” button. Continuing the streak of slow, groovy tracks, “In Case of Fire” brings a small pulse into the album that was beginning to lose its touch.
“Leaving Los Feliz” is the third track on the album to feature Kevin Parker, and his best performance on Uptown Special since it is essentially a Tame Impala song produced by Mark Ronson.
Andrew Wyatt makes his second appearance on the album with “Heavy and Rolling”, capturing a slight psychedelic sound along the way and redeeming himself for “Crack in the Pearl”.
Mark Ronson may be able to recreate what worked well in decades past, but unfortunately only a portion of his work could find its footing in 2015. Part of it may have been depending on niche artists such as Kevin Parker and Andrew Wyatt, or perhaps “Uptown Funk” set the bar too high, too early.
Stream the entire album via Youtube.
