![]() ![]() In many ways “Uptown Funk” functions as a sort of pseudo-sequel to Mars’ 2013 disco-channeling “Treasure”, and it’s quite easy to see its wide appeal. ![]() The presence of Bruno Mars on the song seems eye-roll worthy on paper, but his vocals are quite strong and suit the songs retro vibe quite nicley. The enigmatic and explosive “Uptown Funk” is a gloriously brilliant slice of synth-led dance pop that brings to mind Prince in his early 80’s heyday or Zapp at their most electrifying. Parker also shows up on the tracks “Daffodils” and “Leaving Los Feliz”, both of which blend Ronson’s penchant for danceable grooves with Parker’s love of hazy psychedelia and blissed-out textures. Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker shows up on the blessed-out “Summer Breaking”, which builds its twisted melody through the use of enough distorted guitars and organs that it bears more than a passing resemblance to Parker’s own band. Mystikal channels the spirit of James Brown with much aplomb on “Feel Right”, while Ronson displays his mastery of the funkiest basslines this side of Les Claypool’s. Much like how Daft Punk reinvigorated disco by giving it a fresh lick of paint and some modern context, Uptown Special is a funky throwback to the coke-fueled heydays of the 70’s and 80’s, brimming with guest appearances and enough synthesised bass stabs to make your toes curl. He’s always been the go-to producer for artists trying to find the sweet spot in-between critical acceptance and commercial friendliness His 2015 album Uptown Special treads a familiar ground where smooth funk mixes with nu-disco cuts to create a masterful dance-oriented pop album that’ll wow the critics and have the general public shaking their hips like crazy. ![]() His production resume includes artists ranging from Amy Winehouse to Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and the man even won a handful of Grammy’s back in 2005 for his work on Winehouse’s seminal Back To Black. After witnessing Pharrell’s meteoric rise to prominence throughout the past two years, you could easily make a similar case for Mark Ronson achieving the same feat. in the early 2000’s, falls of in the end of the last decade, hooks up with Daft Punk (themselves fellow veterans) for a smooth disco throwback which earns both artists their first number one, before finally becoming the hottest producer in the world in the space of a year. Take Pharrell for instance: well known for his work with The Neptunes and N.E.R.D. The past few years have seen a strange upswing in veteran producers gaining sudden latter day hits via collaborations. ![]()
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