MARK Ronson tells me that although he knows following up the single Uptown Funk is virtually impossible, he's more than pleased with new release I Can't Lose.
“It's definitely one of my favourite tracks on the album, that's for sure,” reflects the superstar DJ/producer. “When we were making the album, Uptown Special, I felt it was a stand-out track and it had future single written all over it. Obviously I didn't know that Uptown Funk was going to be the absolute monster that it turned out to be, so we've had to wait quite a while to release another song from the record. Now the time is right I Can't Lose was my automatic choice.”
Ronson's current album involved him travelling up and down America gaining inspiration and meeting other musicians and vocalists along the way. The back story of I Can't Lose pretty much epitomises the concept and execution of Uptown Special.
“I decided to journey through the deep south of the US to maybe find some raw vocal talent and I thought it would be a great idea to visit clubs, concert halls and churches just to see if we could unearth someone special. I met Keyone Starr and she impressed me so much I knew she would be great on a track that I had the music for – which turned out to be I Can't Lose.
"We found her in Jackson, Mississippi, which is actually why the lyrics of Uptown Funk contain a reference to that place. While Bruno Mars was writing lyrics for Uptown Funk I was telling him the story of finding Keyone and he slotted the words in there and then. "
Ronson has always enjoyed playing gigs and DJ sets in Belfast but now following the outstanding success of his latest work I put it to him that perhaps an Odyssey Arena show might finally be on the cards (if he brings Bruno along of course)?
“I would love that but I'm not sure I'm at that level in terms of filling an arena on my own. I have always had an amazing time in Belfast though, so we 'll see how things turn out.”.
:: Mark Ronson's I Can't Lose is available to download now.
On the Hunt
COUNTRY star Sam Hunt has a potential crossover hit on his hands with the ultra addictive Take Your Time, a song that is causing a very positive commotion with radio listeners.
The record obviously has a strong country feel, particularly in the chorus, but it is perhaps the spoken, almost rapped, verse lines that are striking the right note and making the song stand out from the crowd. The track comes from Hunt's album Montevallo which has scooped an impressive array of awards to date.
