Ben Harper and Criminals play Call It What It Is

Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals are seen in a clip from Jimmy Kimmel’s US TV show, performing their track Call It What It Is.

It’s the title song from the band’s first album in eight years, after Harper decided it was time to work with his old colleagues once again.

The lyrics address the deaths of black people at the hands of police officers including Trevon Martin, Ezel Ford and Michael Brown, with the refrain: “Call it what it is – murder.”

The album will be released on April 8 via Stax Records.

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.