Jeff Bhasker Producing ‘Uptown Funk’ by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars Inside the Track 85 [TUTORIAL]
From the track’s humble beginnings at a jam session between friends, Uptown Funk went on to break world records for the most weeks spent at #1. Joining us for his debut series, Jeff Bhasker explores the making of one of this century’s biggest hit songs.
The multi-talented producer, songwriter and musical visionary joins us from his studio in Los Angeles to take you inside the world of Uptown Funk, the record-breaking hit song by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars!
As Jeff combs through the track’s original stems, he delves into the minute details of the funk-inspired mega-hit. He weighs in on the early jam sessions that gave rise to the song’s unforgettable groove, as well as the team’s never-ending quest to find the perfect hook. Simple in its construction, the song is richly embedded with cultural references and show-stopping musical performances that have stood the test of time.
It is Jeff’s passion for performance that lies at the heart of his production philosophy. You will learn his signature approach to creating organic arrangements that leap off the grid and the recording techniques he uses to capture ideas as they happen. Whether he is working on a hard-hitting hip-hop track or a soaring pop ballad, his creative process bears an unmistakable authenticity that connects with millions of listeners around the world.
Throughout this series, Jeff remains refreshingly open and honest about his artistic practice. He shares many of the lessons he has learned working with some of the world’s biggest artists and reminds us that while trends may come and go, great artistry is timeless.
Part 1
19 min
Early years, musical training, live performance, demo process
Part 2
09 min
Arrangement overview, cultural references, recording process
Part 3
07 min
Drum production, instrument preparation, session musicians
Part 4
13 min
Fidelity, equipment, microphone placement, room sounds, processing
Part 5
10 min
Tempo and key, vocal recording, phrasing, groove
Part 6
15 min
Collaboration, relationships, philosophy, project completion