Jake Ferguson, the co-founder and bassist of the acclaimed music group, The Heliocentrics, made his debut as a solo artist under the moniker The Brkn Record in 2021 with the album, The Architecture of Oppression. The album perfectly used the power of music to make light of local and global issues including anti-black racism and state violence. The contemporary R&B album turned heads and made people think with the fusion of poetry, song and the sound of deep jazz. It also reflected Ferguson’s work as an activist for racial justice and social equity in London and beyond.
Ferguson continued the powerful message, intersecting artistry and social consciousness in 2024 with the follow up album, The Architecture of Oppression Part 2, which was released in May. He led and produced the project start to finish, exemplifying his multi-instrumental skills. He also collaborated with multiple artists, activists and poets throughout the album like the legendary hip-hop MC Percee P on “Cut The Cheque” featuring Great Okosun. On other tracks, he also featured singer, political activist and the winner of The Voice in 2014, Jermain Jackman.
Jackman is featured on the first track of the album, “Black Gold.” The song begins with a guitar riff that slowly starts to draw in drums and piano, fusing together different instruments creating a captivating soundscape. Echoey vocals begin to become present towards the end of the song repeating the lyrics, “black gold.” The song prepares the audience for the message that will be received throughout the rest of the album.
Jackman is also featured on the song, “We Need Freedom.” The track is similar to, “Black Gold,” due to the structure of the song beginning with a captivating beat and repetitive lyrics toward the end. Although the songs are similar, Ferguson produced the beats differently, starting “We Need Freedom” with a piano, then slowly bringing in the saxophone for a touch of jazz. Meanwhile the drums are included with a slow snare followed by drum rolls. Other elements of the song include the flute, giving listeners different instruments to focus on while hearing the repetitive lyrics throughout the track, “Freedom, freedom, freedom / We need Freedom.” Repeating the lyrics shows Ferguson and Jackman’s views and allows the message to get across clearly to listeners. Further allowing them to understand that everyone deserves freedom regardless of who they are or where they come from.
As the album continues it proceeds to push boundaries, producing the powerful message Ferguson anticipated for the audience to receive. For instance, “Why Do They Fear Us” featuring the community activist and self-published author, Yolanda Lear, utilizes her spoken word poetry and the power of refrain to get the audience thinking about the repetitive question asked throughout the poem, “Why do they fear us?”.
Lear continues to guess throughout the poem, trying to understand, “Why do they fear us?” including the line, “Is it because we don’t flinch when you’re near us.” The powerful poem highlights the racism that many face. Throughout the track Ferguson curated a jazz sound by having the saxophone front and center, with low-tempo drums playing in the background complementing Lear’s tone while presenting the poem.
The Architecture of Oppression Part 2 by The Brkn Record, is an album that takes listeners on a transformative journey that inspires and empowers. All ten tracks on the album are curated with thought anticipated to demonstrate the anger Jake Ferguson has towards the racial status in London and globally. Ferguson’s production skills are highlighted throughout the album as he fused different instruments together to produce eccentric soundscapes that also complemented the lyrics, merging music and activism.
Leave a Comment