You may not know the name of Ben Marc yet but you will have heard the low end rumble of his playing on innumerable great pieces of recently released music. Birmingham born and classically trained at Trinity College London, Ben has gotten the call to supply his bass skills for acts such as Shabaka Hutchings, Macy Gray, Sun Ra Arkestra, Ashley Henry and Dizzee Rascal amongst many. Stepping out of the shadows, he has a forthcoming solo album ‘Glass Effect’ coming out shortly on Bridge The Gap with the first single ‘Dark Clouds’ featuring the superb poet Joshua Idehen (he’s all over Sons Of Kemet’s modern classic ‘Your Queen Is A Reptile’ LP). For a bassist, the single is surprisingly lacking in an obvious bass line with the vocal, drums and brass driving this brooding and powerfully desperate take on life right now. We are champing to hear the full album.
We asked Ben to contribute to our ‘Music That Speaks To…’ series and select some music that means something to him and he’s given us an excellent collection moving from hip hop to Cuban, Ethiopian jazz to Radiohead….over to Ben..
I listen to many different styles and genres of music. Actually Ben Marc is two nicknames I have accumulated over the years from two separate worlds in my life. Ben from my jazz days with my brothers from Empirical via Tomorrow's Warriors and Marc from my Hip Hop days growing up in Birmingham.
Sonny Rollins ‘I'm an Old Cowhand’
This whole album is totally killing. It was tough just to choose one track, but this one has so much energy plus a killer Ray Brown solo.
Edvard Grieg ‘Piano Concerto In A Minor’
I just remember playing this in the Midland Youth Orchestra back in the day and the power and emotion of this piece is quite incredible.
Mulatu Astake ‘The Way to Nice’
I've played with Mulatu for over 10 years and when this tune comes in the set it's such a vibe to play.
Patato & Totico ‘En El Callejon’
When I first heard this album I just wanted to dance, learn rhythms and move to Cuba. Its ridiculous…
Radiohead ‘Give up The Ghost’
I first heard this in a car driving down from Newcastle to London after a gig with Shabaka and Tom Skinner with our band Zed-u and we put the whole album on repeat for about three hours of the journey. So much creativity in their music.
The Roots ‘The Stars’
This is so killing. Its a Dilla loop played live by The Roots. You just wanna head nod the whole time.
Beastie Boys ‘Brass Monkey’
Had the album on tape and rinsed it the whole time. All three MCs have so much energy and how they interact with lyrics is really incredible, plus the beat bangs.
Thelonious Monk ‘Rhythm A Ning’
Monk is one of my favourite jazz musicians. The energy coming of the stage through the recording is incredible. This tune is played so many times in jam sessions and every time I try and play this tune I try to aim for this ferocious and melodic energy. What a band.