It has been ten years since American producer Nile Rodgers last worked with Duran Duran, but the long-time friends and collaborators are back in the studio to create the band’s 14th album – and Mark Ronson is also getting in on the act.
The band have announced that they are reuniting with Rodgers, who worked with the group on Eighties hits The Reflex and The Wild Boys, as well as subsequent albums Notorious (1986) and Astronaut (2004), among others.
Bigwig Rodgers is the mastermind behind many of the music industry’s most seminal releases, including David Bowie’s 1983 album Let’s Dance, Madonna’s 1984 album Like A Virgin and most recently Daft Punk’s 2013 song Get Lucky.
Duran Duran’s new album, which is being recorded in London, has been tentatively scheduled for release in Spring 2015.
Rodgers, who appears to have known Ronson since the latter was a child, has been keeping his Twitter followers abreast with developments.
Yesterday he tweeted: “It was so awesome to be in a real studio recording with a real band!”
Both Ronson are Rodgers are understood to be producers on the album, with Ronson having produced Duran Duran’s last studio album All You Need Is Now (2010).
Rodgers, who recently battled cancer before being given the all-clear in 2013, said in a blog post on Friday: “It’s been a long time since my last blog. It's also time for my next round of cancer tests. I always get a little weird around this time but the music gives me strength.
“I've been insane busy working hard on new Chic music, which has been amazing. And speaking of new music, I'll be in the studio with Duran Duran for a few days. My mind is already filled with anticipation of the possibilities.”
He also told Noise11: “[Duran Duran and I] are still amazingly great friends to this day. My career with Duran is probably the longest spiritual partnership I have had with any artist.”
Earlier this year it was reported that former Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist John Frusciante has also been lined up to collaborate on the album, as well as the Voce Chamber Choir and the London Youth Chamber Choir, Consequence of Sound reports.
