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Marvin Tate's D-Settlement were Chicago's best-kept secret: a trailblazing, diverse band mixing R&B, soul, punk and funk with biting wit and political commentary. Led by Marvin Tate - a poet, artist, playwright and raconteur who wore pipe cleaners in his hair - and backed up by a dynamic cast of characters, their concerts were the stuff of legend. They stole the show from acts like Antibalas and Bernie Worrell. They addressed transgender rights, gentrification and gun violence before they were trendy. But if you wanted to hear their music, you were out of luck. Until now. American Dreams Records presents Marvin Tate's D-Settlement: a deluxe 4xLP/3xCD box set, designed by Field of Grass (Numero Group, Paradise of Bachelors), collecting their three albums with an oral history of the band. If you like Angel Bat Dawid, Theaster Gates, avery r. young - here's the blueprint.

Partly Cloudy

1. Turn Da F***in' Lights Back On 2. All Pro 3. Charlie of Washington Square 4. When a Black Poet Reads Poetry to a 98% White Audience 5. Who Sold Soul? 6. Color Blind Society 7. Mr. Junkie Maker 8. Insomnia in NYC 9. Marching in the Mist

The Minstrel Show

1. Planet D-Settlement 2. N-Word (Part 1) 3. Don't Send Him Away 4. The Ballad of Corey Dykes 5. Dinner Date 6. Have You Ever Seen? 7. Merry-Go-Round 8. Black Girl (Live at the HotHouse) 9. Yesterday 10. Governmental Wolf 11. N-Word (Part 2)

American Icons

1. Jury Duty 2. Trouble A Come 3. Mama's Got a New Boyfriend 4. Gerald 5. The Number Man 6. Mr. Sullivan 7. Bronzeville 8. Intro (Brown Eyes) 9. Brown Eyes (Miss D) 10. Hangman 11. Jury Duty (The Verdict) 12. A Great Day (in the Neighborhood)