Beck, Scissor Sisters, and Kaiser Chiefs rock Hard Rock album

By Patrick Luce Apr 13, 2007, 14:27 GMT

Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos will pay homage to its distinctive music heritage with the launch of a limited-edition CD series, ‘Mark Ronson Presents Hard Rock,’ curated by DJ/producer Mark Ronson. The debut CD, featuring 14 rock songs hand selected by Ronson, will be available for purchase beginning May 22nd at all Hard Rock Hotel and Casino locations, select Hard Rock Cafe Rock Shops and online at www.hardrock.com. Hard Rock partnered with Allido Records and music executive and producer Rich Kleiman, to release the series exclusively for the brand.

Hard Rock has enlisted Ronson to curate and define a distinctive sound and vibe for the brand's properties. This series of limited-edition CDs for Hard Rock will be the first product of the Hard Rock Hotels-Allido Records alliance. One dollar from the sale of each CD sale will benefit the charity Water for Life, an initiative from artist Jay-Z with the mission to bring clean drinking water throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

“Allido Records is a perfect partner for Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos,” said Andrea Melotti, Senior Director of Operations for Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos. “Ronson has taken relevant rock songs, the proverbial soundtrack of the Hard Rock brand, and produced a modern compilation that melds perfectly with the distinctive rock vibe of Hard Rock properties.”

Ronson, the ubiquitous genre-fusing DJ who has ruled Manhattan's club/party circuit scene since the early '90s, has evolved into a prolific and sought-after producer and recording artist with an ear for new music and untapped talent. Rich Kleiman, who also manages Mark Ronson's career, has an accredited production and music supervision background ranging from television and film score direction for MTV, ESPN and BET to producing “Fade to Black” the critically acclaimed documentary about the making of Jay-Z's classic, The Black Album. Through their joint venture with Clive Davis' J Records, Ronson and Kleiman are working with such talent as Chicago-based rapper and Grammy winner Rhymefest and Australian-born singer Daniel Merriweather. Allido Records also recently released the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed film “Half Nelson” starring Ryan Gosling.

“This is an exciting project for Allido because of Hard Rock's iconic stature as a brand and in Rock n' Roll culture,” said Mark Ronson. “These compilations will deliver a unique and definitive collection of "modern" rock music for the new millennium.”

Rich Kleiman, president/CEO of Allido Records, adds, “Hard Rock's unique brand qualities complement Allido's distinctive vision and sound and we anticipate a long, successful partnership.”