Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble remind us to “Stay Beautiful” on new single
In 2019 (which feels like an eternity ago), the Chicago-based collective Black Monument Ensemble, led by visual and sound artist Damon Locks, released one of the best and most groundbreaking albums from this past year on International Anthem, titled Where Future Unfolds. This week, the group has released a very timely and powerful new single, called “Stay Beautiful,” which was recorded live back in November 2018 at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, as part of Red Bull Music Festival.
This brilliant seven-minute song begins with an ode dedicated to Chicago, and what Lock would say to a city in its most precarious condition — “We see you. We love you. Stay beautiful.” Following the poem, the music breaks in with a heartfelt chorus featuring Phillip Armstrong, Monique Golding, Eric McCarter, Tramaine Parker, and Lauren Robinson singing those three moving phrases.
The spiritual jazz masterpiece also features Angel Bat Dawid on clarinet, percussionists Dana Hall and Arif Smith, as well as Locks adding electronics and bells.
It’s not a coincidence that this track came out this week. Lock shares, “I am very happy to be able to share this song at this time. It is a fitting message for this moment we are living through. I hope you all stay safe.”
In these difficult and challenging times, Lock and the Black Monument Ensemble have given us a hopeful message and anthem moving forward …
“We see you. We love you. Stay beautiful.”
Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble — “Stay Beautiful”
(International Anthem)
