My latest single is out now via the ever magnificent record mogul Gonzo and Digi Killaz. Myself on production and the mighty Speng Bond on vocals.

Get your 7" while it's hot. Hit up Digi Killaz for your latest copy: pennycook4countzales@yahoo.com.au

Mashdown Rome - Speng Bond (Monkey Marc production, DIGI KILLAZ)- short demo

Off the Up and Coming new Combat Wombat album "Just Across the Border"

Asylum - Combat Wombat

‘Living In The Joy’ is an uplifting track by singer-songwriter Olivia Wilmot from reggae band Earth and the Fullness. Earth and the Fullness are from Jamnesia, the beachside community who brought together and nurtured the first wave of young reggae revival artists such as Chronixx, Protoje and Jesse Royal. 

In this track, Olivia calls on her bredren and sistren to walk a righteous path and rise up, to keep “living in the joy inspiration brings”. She sees a better future for the world, through courage, love and the awakening of spiritual consciousness: “Jamaica, waking up! Australia, waking up! Mama Africa waking up! … All di island dem, waking up!”

Olivia says, "Living in the Joy is about that sweet spot in being a part of this revelation for mankind, even during a time when others are trying to pull the wool over people's eyes. It's about maintaining an uplifting purpose and livity, remembering that there is also joy in the freedom we have to create a better world."

On reggae music, Olivia says, "Reggae music carries power because it speaks to the heart of the human race directly. When combined with spirituality and the intention to create a new world, its power takes on new meaning. Reggae is a form of music built for re-evolution out of the dire situation the earth is facing, so it's crucial if we're going to continue to survive with meaning."

>> LYRICS

I see the day dawning 
This is to be that day
Don't worry ‘bout nothing. 
Revolution will take you up. 
More love is the plan. 

Emperor Selassie I, the King of Kings
Fly ova dem 
Fly ova dem
Living in the joy Rastafari brings
Sing with me
Sing with me

We are the people
And we goin' live that life true and right. 
As we climb to the top, the top
They can't even wonder
Instantly asunder. 

Emperor Selassie I, the King of Kings 
We're living in the joy Rastafari brings
One step, juggle, then you rock and come een
Sing with me
Sing with me

We know the value
And are learning day by day
That we are beyond value
Don't give up
Be love and patience

Emperor Selassie I, the King of Kings
So we're living in the joy inspiration brings
One step, juggle then you rock and come een
Sing with me
Sing with me

Jamaica, waking up
Australia, waking up
Mama Africa, waking up
From Asia trodding straight through to Europe
And England, waking up
Turtle Island, waking up 
All di island dem, waking up!

Living In The Joy Feat. Earth And The Fullness

Iba MaHr, the young sensation for authentic Jamaican reggae and lover’s rock with one of the purest and most natural voices in the reggae scene.

The singer was given the name Mario Greaves at birth, but given the name Iba MaHr by friends, ‘Iba’ being an African name meaning humble and calm while ‘MaHr’ is an acronym meaning Mario of Harar (a small province in Ethiopia).

As a toddler, Iba MaHr was nurtured by his grandparents in the community of Cheesefield. Every Sunday evening Iba MaHr would dance to his grandfather’s stereogram playing hits from the 70’s, singing to each song as if they were of his era. He then moved to live with his mother in Linstead, a small town in the parish of St. Catherine well known for the famous Linstead Market and the song titled "Carry Mi Ackee Go A Linstead Market".

Iba Mahr started performing as at artist while studying at university, working with producers such as Max ‘Romeo’ Smith and Phillip ‘Fatis’ Burrell. The young sound has also worked with great producers and record labels such as UIM Records, Marlon McCubbin, Bizzarri Records, Jermaine “Lenky” Edwards, Roland “Rollie” McDermot. In 2014 Iba MaHr released his hit single Diamond Sox for Notis Records. Iba Mahr has graced the stages of Reggae Sumfest, Rebel Salute and Sting among others, as well as touring Europe and USA.

The artiste was able to survive the many dangers and harm of his volatile community through advocating love, peace, righteousness and spiritual consciousness. As his name represents, he is quite humble, and does not let anything or anyone trouble his innate calm. With Rastafari as his inspiration, roots and culture is always what he promotes, along with social commentary and soulful reggae songs that speak to the hearts of people. 

"I am inspired to sing about real life occurrences, but in reality as artists, we create melodies then connect words to them to craft stories that reflect other people’s lives. The energy, mood and my emotion at times may affect how a song might turn out. Feelings, be it sombre, joyful or sorrow, also play a part.  People need redemption songs, especially in these times of division and world crisis. I can only say that reggae music is a medium through which we connect and touch people in any situation, so I work to preserve its legacy”, says Iba MaHr.

>> LYRICS

Yes! Oh we've been waiting for very long time
I see that many people still have been lost in their minds.

CHORUS

Come out now, show me you nuh fraid
Come we bun dutty Babylon cause fire affi blaze 
Come out now, show me weh yuh want 
Yuh nuh see Babylon sky and dem a lark

VERSE 1

I've got a Gideon-a-boot 
and yes mi ready fi go kick dutty Babylon red now 
And this yah message weh wi send up inna Parliament a buss-up all dem head now 
When we speak of equal rights and justice revolution dem can't confront this
The truth just a rip through dutty heart just like a cutlass
If your meditation don't clean and pure, you’re gonna be in hell zone
Oh what a day when my people realize and open up their eyes 
and find a way fi nuh beg Babylon bread now!

CHORUS

VERSE 2

Yes! I got a vision
Say everything will soon have to change like,
Yes who want to fight and who want to show strife 
Just live in love, I tell you know secrets of life 
Out of million one, we are few
We should should grow wheat and the Tares too,
The struggle is! The struggles on ...
Tell Babylon we affi carry on, because it’s so dark in earth, and it’s so clear that youth in the ghetto fish the worst. 

CHORUS

Come out now, show me you nuh fraid
Come we bun dutty Babylon cause fire affi blaze 
Come out now, show me weh yuh want
Yuh nuh see Babylon sky and dem a lark

Come Out Feat. Iba MaHr

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnsH34SnZwQ

>> ABOUT

‘Yaad N Abraad’ is the powerful lead single on Monkey Marc’s Yaad N Abraad riddim. It features roots reggae artist Dre Island, one of the most exciting young musicians to emerge out of Kingston, Jamaica.

Revival, resurgence and revitalization: words used to describe the new wave of reggae music and young consciousness-raising, spiritually awakened artists. 

Dre Island, the mystic and rebel, showed a strong interest towards music from a young age, and knew that music would be his means of sharing his message. Nurtured and encouraged by his grandmother, Dre Island’s natural talents developed early with piano lessons that honed his craft and musical ear. Outspoken and often misunderstood, Dre Island worked on his musical skills while chronicling his transformation to Rastafari in song.

Dre Island started out at as a studio engineer and musician, observing the ins and outs of the music industry and soaking up every aspect of studio life and operations. He spent many of his formative years creating rhythms for many celebrated reggae and dancehall artists such as Sizzla, Junior Reid, Jah Cure and Julian Marley.

Dre Island made his transition to recording artist in 2008. His socially conscious messages, strong musical foundation and distinctive voice have driven his meteoric rise at the forefront of the roots and culture movement. 

On Yaad N Abraad, Dre Island's raw, impassioned lyrics describe a country racked by widespread poverty, corruption and violence, where “blood still a flow just like the River Nile”. Jamaica has endured decades of crippling foreign debt, austerity measures and economic policies that destroy opportunities for the poor and protect the wealthy elite.

Dre Island laments that political and social injustice is found all around the world: “Same ting weh happen a yard gwaan abraad”. He calls on his people to stay strong and defiant: “Physically, mentally you affi strong. Can’t weak heart when you out inna Babylon. Got to stay focused and know your direction.”

>> LYRICS

CHORUS

Same thing weh happen a yaad, it gwaan abraad 
Same thing weh happen a yaad, it gwaan abraad 
Oh lord! I say
Same thing weh happen a yaad gwaan abraad 
Same thing weh happen a yaad gwaan abraad 

Well we no mix up, we no mingle with no guy we no know 
Straight family man par wid so watch your approach 
I nah tun off from the mission
King Selassie is I gold
I’m begging every ghetto youths no sell out your soul 
and repatriate your mind 
Africa is the goal
Straight like an arrow, Rasta never lean - oh no!
I nuh want not a spliff from a guy me no know - watch it!
Nuh go hear Dre Island drunk or parrow 

Live inna glass house, them say you no fi throw stone 
So I know we haffi trod out a Rome and know the road code 

CHORUS

Light bill, water bill, everybody cry 
Gas rate, land tax gone sky high
Corruption, destruction, political cry  
More guns than shelters for the homeless child 
Diseases have yuh wheezing and yuh don’t know why 
Coughing till yuh throat sore, no cure in sight
Oppression, depression make gunshot fly
Worst when pickney want food and that cyaan find 
Blood still a flow just like the River Nile 
Daytime colder than the nighttime 
Policemen a roam street say them a fight crime 
Still no truth cyaan read pan the primetime 
So physically mentally you affi strong 
Can’t weak heart when you out inna Babylon
Got to stay focus and know your direction 
'Cause outta Rome full up a nuff demon 

CHORUS

I hear youths crying for justice, for justice
Yet you give them religion injustice 
Just justice, just justice, just justice
Yet you bring I division, not justice
Same thing weh happen a yaad gwaan abraad

This track is not available anymore.

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