Ben Marc x Back Again (feat. Arrested Development & Speech)
The London-based musician, born Neil Charles, chose his stage name as a reflection of his dual identity: “Ben,” the nickname given to him in the jazz collective Tomorrow’s Warriors, and “Marc,” from his Birmingham upbringing steeped in hip-hop, reggae, and soul. During the pandemic, while volunteering with the NHS, he began shaping 'Who Cares Wins’ as a project that could hold all those sides of himself. “I ended up thinking, ‘Well, it’s a genre — it’s just me,’” he explains. Raised between Birmingham and the Caribbean island of Carriacou, Marc grew up immersed in diverse musical traditions that made him a natural nomad and a versatile player. Whether on bass, guitar, keys, or cello, he became a trusted collaborator in jazz, soul, and electronic circles. He has played with the Sun Ra Arkestra, toured the world with Astatke, and co-founded the experimental trio Zed-U with Shabaka Hutchings and Tom Skinner — a project that later linked him with Jonny Greenwood and Yorke’s band The Smile.
Marc’s 2022 debut 'Glass Effect' distilled his influences into a madcap, J Dilla-inspired fusion that Pitchfork praised as “evocative and full of integrity.” But he sees it as just a beginning. For 'Who Dares Wins,' Marc set up his own studio, surrounding himself with synths, drums, strings, and guitars, and embracing a freer, more mature sound. “I’ve just grown as a producer and artist,” he says.
The album title riffs on the British Special Air Service motto "Who Dares Wins,” twisting it into something cheeky and rebellious. That spirit guides the music, where grooves, samples, and wide-ranging collaborations combine into a sound that feels both restless and rooted. Kay Young, Khazali, Wahid, and Speech each bring distinct textures, while tracks like “The Blues” and “Cheddar Man” highlight Marc’s playful, exploratory production.
Though conceived as a single body of work, 'Who Cares Wins' will be rolled out in three stages — two four-track EPs arriving in October and November, followed by the full 14-track LP in December. This staggered release mirrors Marc’s layered approach to music-making, allowing each chapter of the album to shine before it comes together as a whole. Despite its contemporary energy, one of the album’s quirkiest inspirations comes from the ’70s detective show Columbo, whose adventurous jazz scores fascinated Marc as much as the character’s swagger. For him, that sense of experimentation is at the heart of music. As Astatke once reminded him, “It’s for the people.”
That philosophy defines 'Who Cares Wins': genre-bending, collaborative, and deeply human. “It’s about bringing people together,” Marc says. “I’m just trying to bridge the gap.”
Read more about it up on CLASH: https://www.clashmusic.com/news/ben-marc-launches-new-album-who-cares-wins/