Personnel include: Mark Ronson (bass guitar); Ol' Dirty Bastard, Santi White (vocals); Matt Allchin, Binky Griptite, Thomas Brenneck (guitar); Chris Scianni, Alex Greenwald, Michael Tighe (guitars); Julian Leaper, Perry Montague-Mason, Chris Tombling, Tom Pigott-Smith, Warren Zielinski, Boguslaw Kostecki, Mark Berrow, Dave Woodcock, Thomas Bowes, Rita Manning, Everton Nelson, Jonathan Rees, Cathy Thompson, Gavyn Wright, Jackie Shave, Emlyn Singleton (violin); Ivo Van Der Werff, Garfield Jackson, Rachel Bolt, Peter Lale, Bruce White (viola); Ben Chappell, Martin Loveday, Dave Daniels (cello); Neal Sugarman (tenor saxophone); Ian Herickson-Smith, Cochemea Galecum, Ian Hendrickson-Smith (baritone saxophone); Dave Guy (trumpet); Jordan Galland (electric piano); Raymond Angry (Clavinet); Alex Gale, Stuart Zender, Nick Movshon, Sam Farrar (bass guitar); Sam Koppelman, Homer Steinweiss (drums); Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson (percussion); Cenophia Mitchell, Alia-Marie (background vocals).
Additional personnel: Lily Allen, Daniel Merriweather, Kenna, Robbie Williams, Paul Smith , Amy Winehouse (vocals); The Daptone Horns (various instruments); Tiggers, Santo Gold, Kasabian, Phantom Planet.
On the 2007 follow-up to his overlooked full-length '03 debut, HERE COMES THE FUZZ, London-born/New York City-based DJ/producer Mark Ronson presents an appealing and inventive set of cover tunes in collaboration with an eclectic array of artists. A hit upon its release in the U.K., the lively single "Stop Me" finds Ronson working with Australian R&B performer Daniel Merriweather on an intriguing club-oriented interpretation of the Smiths' "Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before" that deftly mixes in a chunk of the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On."
Other highlights of VERSION are Ronson's funky take on the Kaiser Chiefs' "Oh My God," which features a typically charming turn by British pop singer Lily Allen, and a horn-led rendition of Radiohead's "Just" that includes vocals by Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald. With its dynamic track listing and guest shots, the entire album is a vibrant party-perfect outing that should win over many listeners outside of Ronson's loyal fanbase.