“We Dream” is the new studio album by Lakecia Benjamin, her sixth release and debut on Artwork Records. Conceived as a deeply collaborative, band-centered project, it features core members Oscar Pérez, Miki Hayama, and Elias Bailey, alongside new collaborators such as Sean Jones and Jonathan Barber, plus a wide range of guests from jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and experimental music.

Following the momentum of “Phoenix” (2023) and the Grammy-nominated single “Noble Rise”, the album reflects a shift in perspective — Benjamin’s response to a turbulent world and her desire to be “a bright light in a dark space.” Rather than using guests as ornamentation, she assembled a collective of visionary artists — her self-described “Avengers” — including Terence Blanchard, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, Chris Potter, Hiromi, Bilal, and Kassa Overall.

The project builds on a powerful trajectory that includes “Pursuance: The Coltranes”, honoring John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane, and “Phoenix”, recorded after Benjamin survived a near-fatal car accident and earned multiple Grammy nominations.

Musically, “We Dream” unfolds as a cinematic journey blending spoken word, groove-driven composition, and high-energy improvisation. From the meditative opening “First Light” to the explosive “Dream Breaker” and the luminous closing track “New World”, the album emphasizes forward motion, collective imagination, and the transformative power of sound.