Chicago multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Damon Locks leads his Black Monument Ensemble into visionary territory with "Where Future Unfolds," an album that functions as both musical statement and cultural manifesto. Drawing from his experience with the Eternals and as a member of Tricky Stewart's production team, Locks creates something entirely his own - a fusion of Afrofuturism, experimental soul, and community-minded improvisation.

The ensemble's sound defies easy categorization, blending live instrumentation with field recordings, spoken word elements, and electronic processing. Locks' vision encompasses everything from Sun Ra's cosmic philosophy to Chicago's house music legacy, filtered through a distinctly contemporary lens that addresses social justice and Black liberation. The music feels both celebratory and urgent, joyful yet politically engaged.

What sets this project apart is its collective spirit. Rather than featuring traditional solos, the music builds through layers of interaction - voices weaving together, percussion patterns interlocking, electronic elements providing textural support. The compositions feel like community rituals, with Locks serving as both conductor and participant in something larger than individual expression.

The production maintains an organic warmth that complements the ensemble's live energy. This is music that demands to be experienced rather than simply heard, offering a powerful vision of how experimental music can serve both artistic and social purposes.