Duran Duran have recorded a “new” version of their 1982 hit “Rio” in tribute to British uber-producer Mark Ronson.
Ronson, who is collaborating with the veteran band on their upcoming album, appeared on BBC Radio 1’s “Zane Lowe Show” last week with the updated track, which now includes lines like: “His name is Ronson and he mixes with both hands” and “When he cuts he really shows you all he can.”
British uber-producer Mark Ronson is putting his Midas touch on Duran Duran’s next album.
Ronson, who co-produced Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” and has collaborated with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Robbie Williams, Lily Allen and Adele, has gone into the studio with the ’80s pop icons to work on their 13th LP.
“Working with Ronson is a natural next step for the band, who continue to challenge themselves with each new phase of their career,” read a statement on Duran Duran’s blog.
Pop star Justin Timberlake has confirmed that he’ll lend a hand writing and producing the new album by aging pop stars Duran Duran.
It’s a positive development for the band after they lost founding guitarist Andy Taylor, who left the group in October.
“We’ve got some good stuff happening here,” Duran Druan front-man Simon LeBon told the CBC of their collaboration with Timberlake. “We are in a very good space.”
Also working with the band on their new album is producer Timbaland.
“We’ve done three tracks with Timbaland,” said LeBon. “We’ve collaborated in a writing and production manner on one of those tracks with Justin Timberlake.”
No release date has been set for the record, which will be the band’s first studio LP since 2004’s “Astronaut.”
The return of Duran Duran last year wasn’t for a one-time tour. The gents are planning to hit the studio again to continue their resurrection.
Keyboardist Nick Rhodes told Billboard that Duran Duran will begin writing songs in August. They plan on recording in January and releasing another album in the summer.
The band is currently on a world tour.
