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Draft:Marc Mac

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Marc Mac a.k.a. Mark Anthony Clair is a Jamaican-British DJ, broadcaster, producer, promoter, label owner and pioneer of UK electronic dance music who was influential in shaping dance music of the 1990s.[1] Marc Mac was instrumental in creating several new genres of music including hardcore breakbeat, UK hardcore, darkcore, jungle, drum and bass, downtempo, broken beat and nu jazz.[2] He is one half of the pioneering group 4hero founded in partnership with collaborator Dego (aka Dennis McFarlane)and co-founder of Reinforced Records. [3][4][5][6] [7][8][9][10]

Marc Mac's other aliases and name variations include Manix, M. 'Tomcat', M. Mac, M. Mack, Marc, Marc 'Manix' Mac, Marc 4hero, Marc Mac (4 Hero), Marc Mac (Nu Era), Marc Mac 4Hero, Marc Marc, Marcmac, Mark Mac, Mark Mak, Markmac, Markman, Marky Mak, Mary Mac.[11]

Marc Mac
Marc Mac from 4hero and Visioneers, Photograph by Jolo2010
Born
London, England
NationalityBritish
Known formusic production, pioneering EDM
Movement1990s British Electronic Dance Movement
Websitehttps://marc4hero.bandcamp.com/

Biography

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Marc Mac was born and raised in London, England. He attended school in Harlesden, a neighbourhood in North West London known for its vibrant Caribbean culture and often dubbed as London's reggae capital.[12][1][13]

Marc Mac`s family emigrated to England from Jamaica and are part of the Windrush generation Caribbean-British legacy. His parents were very active in the community creating programming to support and advocate for local youth and their families. His family was instrumental in founding the Black Cultural Archives in collaboration with other community members. Community leaders like historian, activist Len Garrison and British Labour Party politician, Diane Abbott could frequently be found at the Clair household. Marc Mac grew up in a household filled with music. Both parents were music enthusiasts with eclectic tastes ranging from reggae, lover's rock, to soul and pop. Marc Mac and his siblings grew up listening to Bob Marley, Johnny Clarke,Two Sevens Clash, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Jim Reeves gospel records and more.[14] Marc Mac has family in the U.S.A. and as such, had access to the early Hip Hop of New York City and listened to Roxanne Shanté, early Big Daddy Kane, a label called ‘Cold Chillin’, Public Enemy, Zulu Nation as well as the underground musical sounds coming from Detroit and Chicago.[15]

Sound System

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Marc Mac started his career in music in sound system culture. Around 1985/1986 Marc Mac and his friends created a sound system called Solar Zone. His family`s community work provided an opportunity for Marc Mac to practice and play in a large concert hall in Alperton near Wembley.[16] Solar Zone eventually gathered enough of a fan base to sell tickets and perform in blues clubs (blues clubs are illegal clubs most often found in suburban neighbourhoods). [16] Like the legendary Jamaican sound engineer/producer King Tubby, Marc Mac is a tinkerer. He studied electronics at school and was fascinated with the diy workings of sound production.[17] [18] Marc Mac began building speakers, learning as he went by watching others and studying library books. Eventually Marc Mac's speaker-building practice developed into creating fully fledged mobile sound system rigs for radio sets and carnivals.[19][16]

Reinforced Records

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In 1989,  Marc Mac and Guy Lawrence founded the record label Reinforced Records.[20] The label featured a diverse selection of sounds including breakbeat hardcore, jungle, drum & bass and featured a roster of superstars including Goldie, Doc Scott, DJ Randall, Nookie, Tek9, Grooverider, Kemistry & Storm, Wings (aka Roni Size, Krust and Die), A Guy Called Gerald, Peshay, J Majik, Photek, 4hero, Manix and Tom & Jerry.[21][22][23] [24][25]

Reinforced Records was integral in pioneering the sounds of 90's British dance music scene. In the early 90's Marc Mac and Dego were introduced to Goldie by his partner DJ Kemistry at the dance music club, Astoria. Goldie was first involved at Reinforced Records as A&R staff, then later started collaborating with the duo in their studio.[26][27]

4hero

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Founded in 1989, the group 4hero are a rotating musical collective. 4hero today consists of British music producers, Mark "Marc Mac" Clair and Denis "Dego" McFarlane from Dollis Hill, London, England.

The earliest 4hero releases were produced with Marc Mac and Gus Lawrence, Later, Marc Mac invited Dego and Ian to join the production collective for the album release “In Rough Territory”. As the label Reinforced Records grew, Gus took a role in the office and Ian on the road doing distribution. The early 4hero productions were very influenced by heavy sub bass, bleeps, Detroit sounds and UK hip hop. The first 4hero album included rap.[28]

"At the time we didn't rave much, as we generally were playing out with the soundsystem from 1986 through 1990. [They were at] house parties around North West London, Notting Hill carnival, youth local centres etc. Music wise, we were mainly playing soul, boogie, electro, house, 2-step soul," recalls Marc Mac. Gus continues: "I wasn't a clubber, so I never went raving much. I really only went to hip-hop jams and the occasional soul rave. Shenola's, Granaries, etc. I wasn't into rave whatsoever. I was a hip-hop producer and was all about the breaks and drum loops... my record collection consisted mostly of '80s soul and hip-hop, though my first records were pop—Madness, Stranglers, The Specials, The Jam, The Police, then electro like Jonzun Crew, Key-Matic, the Street Sounds electro series etc. My producer name was Reinforced G, a name given to me by Tim Westwood." - 4hero members, Marc Mac and Gus Lawrence in conversation with Kirk Degiorgio[29]

4hero’s innovative sound experimentations resulted in pioneering new music genres in the UK rave scene including jungle, drum 'n' bass, breakbeat hardcore, broken beat and nu jazz.[15] [30]

Two Pages

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4hero's1998 album “Two Pages” paid tribute to Black musical historical legacies, forging a new sound melding ’60s jazz, ’70s funk, ’80s techno and ’90s drum & bass. “Two Pages” won UK’s MOBO (Music of Black Origin) award. “Two Pages” was short-listed for the Mercury Prize.[31][32][33][34]Marc Mac’s projects honour Black legacies and work to counteract the erasure of Black cultural contributions.[35]

Discography

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Albums (listed most recent to older)

  • Marc Mac presents Visioneers – Def Radio - Omniverse - 2024 (6 versions)
  • The Invisible Soldiers - Omniverse Recordings - 2020 (2 versions)
  • Blue Tape Instrumentals - Omniverse - 2019 - (LP, Album, Ltd, Mixed)
  • Red Tape Instrumentals - Omniverse - 2019 (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mixed)
  • All Power To The People - Omnniverse - 2019 (LP, Ltd)
  • Generation-X - Omniverse - 2016 (LP, Album, Ltd)
  • Extend The Knowledge - Omniverse - 2016 (LP, Album, Ltd, Marble Black/Grey)
  • Message From Soulville - Omniverse - 2013 (2 versions)
  • T.R.A.C. Prodcued by Marc Mac - The Network - BBE - 2011 (15×File, MP3, 320 kbps)
  • Beats From The Network (BFTN) - Omniverse - 2009 - (15×File, MP3, 320 kbps)
  • It`s Right To Be Civil - Omniverse - 2006 (3 versions)
  • Marc Mac Presents Visioneers - Dirty Old Hip Hop - BBE - 2006 (5 versions)
  • How About A Game of Chess? - ABB Soul - 2005 (3 versions)

Singles and EPs

  • Ike`s Mood I - Omniverse Recordings - (7", Single, Ltd)
  • Ja-Pan-Ah - Omniverse Recordings - 2023 (12", EP)
  • Br-Azil-Ah EP - Omniverse - 2022 (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP)
  • Ja-Maye-Ka EP - Omniverse - 2021 (12", EP)
  • Ah-Free-Ka EP - Co-operation Recordings - 2019 (2 versions)
  • Marc Mac Presents Visioneers - Apache / Shaft in Africa (Addis) - BBe - 2011 (7", Ltd)
  • Marc Mac presents Visioneers - Dirty Old Remix EP - BBE - 2007 (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP)
  • Headspin - Twisted Funk - 2007 (12")
  • Dilinja / Marc Mac Dominator (remix) Untitled - Not On Label - 2003 (Acetate, 10")
  • Mark Mac* + Swift* – Shadow Boxin / Feels Good - Integral Recordings - 1997 ( 2 versions)

Compilations

  • The Power Tapes (Expanded) - Omniverse - 2020 - (3 versions)
  • Vintage Bruk - Omniverse - 2019 (9×File, FLAC, Album, Comp, Stereo)
  • Extend The Knowledge / It`s Right To Be Civil - Omniverse - 2011 (2×CD, Comp, Ltd)

DJ Mixes

  • Forgotten Treasures Mix #13 - MusicIsMySanctuary.com - 2013 (File, MP3, Mixed, 320)
  • Hipology - 101 Apparel - 2012 (2 versions)
  • 4hero / Marc Mac – Brazilika (An Eclectic Brazilian DJ-Mix From Marc Mac) - Far Out Recordings - 2006 (CD, Mixed)

References

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  1. ^ a b "The gentrification of jungle". Mixmag. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
  2. ^ Chapman, Dale (April 29, 2025). "Hermeneutics of Suspicion: Paranoia and the Technological Sublime in Drum and Bass Music". Echo. 5 (2) (published 2003).
  3. ^ Cardew, Ben (2024-07-24). "4-Hero are jungle legends: part one of two". Line Noise. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  4. ^ Muggs, Joe; Stevens, Brian David (2020). Bass, Mids, Tops: An Oral History of Sound System Culture. Strange Attractor Press. ISBN 978-1907222771.
  5. ^ "AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK 'MARC MAC'". Jungle Drum and Bass. 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
  6. ^ Shapiro, Peter (1999). The Rough Guide to Drum 'n' bass. Rough Guides. pp. 71–75. ISBN 978858284330. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help)
  7. ^ Hermes, Will (1998-11-22). "Dance Music Enlists A New Sound: Voices". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  8. ^ Burgess, John (2007-01-19). "4hero, Play With the Changes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  9. ^ "Dego: striving for perfection". DJ Mag. 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  10. ^ James, Martin (2020). State of Bass: the Origins of Jungle/Drum & Bass (2nd ed.). Velocity Press. ISBN ‎ 9781913231026. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  11. ^ "Marc Mac". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
  12. ^ "History of Harlesden". Brent Council. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  13. ^ "Marc Mac (4Hero) – Windrush Stories". UK Podcasts. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  14. ^ "Marc Mac (4Hero) – Windrush Stories". UK Podcasts. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  15. ^ a b "AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK 'MARC MAC'". Jungle Drum and Bass. 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  16. ^ a b c "AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK 'MARC MAC'". Jungle Drum and Bass. 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
  17. ^ "Encyclopedia of Invisibility — King Tubby". www.encyclopediaofinvisibility.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  18. ^ Records, Enki's (2021-01-27). "King Tubby: Biography of the Legendary Sound Engineer & Producer". Enki's Music Records. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  19. ^ Marc Mac (4Hero), 2021-10-22, retrieved 2025-05-31
  20. ^ "Reinforced Records". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  21. ^ UK, Drum and Bass. "Reinforced Records Drum and Bass Label Profile | Drum & Bass UK". Drum and Bass UK. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  22. ^ "® Reinforced Records". www.reinforcedrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  23. ^ Radio, N. T. S. "4 Hero | Listen on NTS". NTS Radio. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  24. ^ Cardew, Ben (2024-08-09). "4-Hero are jungle legends". Medium. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  25. ^ "The History of Rock Music. 4 Hero: biography, discography, reviews, best albums, ratings". www.scaruffi.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  26. ^ "Mentors: How 4Hero Programmed Goldie's Software". Telekom Electronic Beats. 2016-02-26. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  27. ^ "Metalheadz". Metalheadz. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  28. ^ Steven, Colin, ed. (2020). Knowledge Magazine 25 Year Anniversary. Velocity Press. ISBN 9781913231019.
  29. ^ "Rewind: 4hero - Mr. Kirk's Nightmare · Single Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  30. ^ Cardew, Ben (2024-07-24). "4-Hero are jungle legends: part one of two". Line Noise. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  31. ^ "MOBO Awards 1998 | MOBO Organisation". mobo.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  32. ^ "Music Review: 4hero - Play With The Changes". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  33. ^ "Album Review: 4hero - Extensions". DrownedInSound. 2009-10-19. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  34. ^ "Solid Gold: How 4Hero's 'Two Pages' predicted the future of d&b". DJ Mag. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  35. ^ "Marc Mac Sets Crucial Historical Movements to Soul-Powered Beats". Bandcamp Daily. 2019-01-17. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
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