The Brkn Record is a new project led and produced by Jake Ferguson, the co-founder and bass player for the UK’s foundational deep jazz outfit the Heliocentrics. With fellow Heliocentrics co-founder and legendary drummer Malcolm Catto, Ferguson has been a regular collaborator with globally recognised artists including Archie Shepp, Mulatu Astatke, Melvin Van Peebles, Orlando Julius and many others.

The Architecture of Oppression Part 1 represents Ferguson’s debut as a bandleader and orchestrator, and manifests as a committed and soulful response to ongoing and systemic anti-black racism, social oppression and state violence both at home in London and across the globe. Combining poetry, testimony and song with rich and cinematic backdrops, Ferguson has produced a sui generis sound that conjures flavours of Arthur Verocai, Ennio Morricone, classic library productions, Madlib-style deep-jazz beat science, and psychedelic soul. With bandmate Malcolm Catto on drums, Ferguson draws on their long years of collaborative experience in the Heliocentrics to build an album of striking texture and depth. 

But the album does not only reflect Ferguson’s full-spectrum musical prowess, experience and vision. It is equally a manifestation of his longstanding and high-profile work as a frontline activist for racial justice and social equity in London and beyond.

Alongside Malcom Catto, contributors to the album are drawn from the intersecting worlds of community activism, cultural education, politics and music, and include singer and political activist Jermain Jackman, Zara MacFarlane; Chicagoan activist, poet and singer Ugochi Nwaogwugwu; Lee Jasper, longstanding worker for racial justice and former advisor on equalities to the Mayor of London; acclaimed performance poet Dylema; Hackney community leader Janette Collins MBE and Leroy Logan MBE, founder and former chair of the Black Police Association, and the subject of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe episode ‘Red, White and Blue’.

The Architecture of Oppression Part 1 is a singular and urgent chronicle of the black British experience, an upful expression of Pan-African creative unity and community solidarity, and a militant and unbending missive from the frontline in the great tradition of The Impressions’ This Is My Country, Irreversible Entanglements Who Sent You?, Max Roach’s We Insist - Freedom Now Suite, or Linton Kwesi Johnson’s Bass Culture.

A broken record repeats itself, and never plays through – the music is interrupted or trapped in a cycle by damage to the grooves. But The Brkn Record is a work of healing and protection, and a chance to let the full story be heard – all the way to the end, no skips.

The Brkn Record - Break The Chains

William Onyeabor - Fantastic Man

Some of the revelations and outer-space reveries of Sun Ra, the Arkestra, and a few talented remixers

A birthday tribute to the cosmic traveler, born on Saturn

Brazil 45, number 20: http://www.mrbongo.com/products/wilson-simonal-nem-vem-que-nao-tem-b-w-trio-mocoto-nao-adianta

Wilson Simonal - Nem Vem Que Nao Tem:

An instant and super catchy samba-MPB hit made famous through by its inclusion in Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund’s ‘City Of God’. This is a firm Simonal favourite here at Mr Bongo HQ.

Simonal was a hugely successful singer in the 1960’s and early 70’s; one of the most popular artists in Brazil infact.

‘Nem Vem Que Nao Tem’ was previously released on 7” by Odeon in France and Spain, and appears on his ‘Alegria, Alegria !!!’ LP on Odeon Brazil, released in 1967

Trio Mocoto - Nao Adianta:

Trio Mocoto were one of Jorge Ben Jr’s main backing bands and highly influential to his sound. They recorded with him on the seminal ‘Força Bruta’, ‘Negro É Lindo’ and ‘Tábua de Esmeralda’ LP’s.

Nao Adianta first appeared on Trio Mocoto’s self-titled 1977 Arlequim LP. It was subsequently released on 7” in Spain, Portugal and Italy (and we are assuming France too).

Trio Mocoto - Nao Adianta

Lost In Space

Presenting the third single ‘Ron Song’ taken from Melbourne/Naarm multi-instrumentalist Don Glori’s forthcoming third album, Paper Can’t Wrap Fire. An ode to Brazil’s musical heritage, it’s Don’s nod to icons and influences including João Donato and Seu George. Samba-flecked, yet with a distinctive Don Glori groove, it’s doused in buttery Rhodes, hazy vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar riffs. Combine that with a serving of long majestic horn lines and the instantly recognisable cuíca and it’s a one-way ticket to Rio’s sunshine-soaked shores. 
 
Speaking about the track, Don mentions, “The thing I love about ‘Ron Song’ is all the ear candy. The Rhodes was routed through the preamp of an original suitcase Rhodes to give it the proper stereo trem it needed. The guitar just breaking through the ribbon mic contrasts against the very digital chorus on the bass. The bass is pushed out to the sides, using every dial tone sample at once. Texturally it feels like an ear massage. 
 
Alcides Neto laid down cuíca throughout the track and fans of Azymuth/Brazilian music in general will appreciate the partido alto underneath the trumpet solo. It’s as if the cuíca and Rhodes are having a conversation in the outro.”


Ron Song

Brownout - I Don't Wanna Be Called Yo Ni**a

Clap Your Hands

Danca De Duas Maos

Alan Tew - The Fence (M.M. Re Construction Mix)

I’ve been spinning records, crate-digging and making beats for over three decades. 
Also a journalist who wrote a highly-praised biography of the late Gil Scott-Heron in 2014.

A birthday tribute to the cosmic traveler, born on Saturn

mbaram