- The No Surrender Riddim EP is the latest works\ from Melbourne DJ/Producer and Combat Wombat linchpin Monkey Marc and is a refix of Mr Savona’s 2014 tune Blessed, voiced by Sizzla.

Monkey Marc’s previous output has been in a wide range of styles, from hiphop to dub, dubstep, jungle and breaks, producing or remixing such artists as Roots Manuva, YT, DJ Click, Soom T and The Bombay Royale.

In late 2016 Monkey Marc travelled to Jamaica and set about linking with artists on the streets of Kingston and then moving into the acclaimed Cell Block and In The Streets studios to record the No Surrender riddim, putting his well-honed ol' skool production techniques to work and utilizing a range of analogue equipment, including MPC3000 and ATC1 synthesisers and a BBC broadcast mixing console.

The EP voices multiple vocal cuts over the instrumental riddim track in a traditional Jamaican style from established reggae dancehall veterans like Sizzla, Capleton and Fantan Mojah, alongside some of the new generation of artists Spring Wata and Jah Thunder, the result is a searing blend of ragga dancehall and hiphop.

Title cut from the riddim, No Surrender, is a massive combination tune. Monkey Marc’s production work creates the fuel to this tune and the lyrical content and vocal delivery of Sizzla, Capleton and Fantan Mojah sets it alight.

Checking the lyrics: “Welcome to the streets of the tough life / as a warrior me grow up wid a rough life”, “Gangster rules affi know how fi hunt fi eat / you affi pressure the road seven day a di week” and “To survive in the streets, them ask how we dweet / tell them no surrender me say no retreat”. They are direct, honest and raw and reflect the realities and harshness of life in Jamaica and for me this blunt approach to song writing is one of the things I love so much about reggae and dancehall music. No Surrender has really captured this. Great to see this type of production coming out of Australia and done proppa!! Well done Monkey Marc.

Other quality cuts from the EP include Babylon Days, Blessed, In The Street, Homelessness and Mosquito. No Surrender Riddim EP is the first release to be taken from Monkey Marc’s upcoming Soundclash Inna Kingston album to be released later in 2017. Much to look forward to.

- Basmati Kasar.