Luscious Jackson

Naked Eye Video:
Ladyfingers Video:To create their critically-acclaimed alternative post-punk style, Luscious Jackson drew sonic inspiration from an eclectic mix of influences, from the streets of New York City and beyond, including reggae, hip-hop, classic funk, and hardcore punk. On February 20, Capitol/EMI will release Luscious Jackson’s first Greatest Hits compilation on CD and digitally. The 19-track collection includes their best album cuts, songs recorded for soundtrack and benefit CDs, rare and previously unreleased remixes from the Capitol and Grand Royal vaults, and a liner notes essay and a remix by their friend and fan, Mike D of the Beastie Boys.
Luscious Jackson: Greatest Hits collects the band’s best album tracks, including “Naked Eye,” “Citysong,” Ladyfingers” and “Beloved,” and adds their Europop take on Serge Gainsbourg’s classic “69 Année Érotique,” recorded for 1995’s Ain’t Nuthin’ But A She Thing benefit album for the Shirley Divers Foundation for Women, and “Love Is Here” from the soundtrack to A Life Less Ordinary. Also included are four previously unreleased and rare remixes, including Thievery Corporation’s “Nervous Breakdown,” Mike D’s Pants On Fire Remix of “Why Do I Lie,” Kut Mastra Kurt’s remix of “Ladyfingers” and Tony Mangurian’s remix of “Naked Eye.”
While still in high school in New York City in the 1980’s, Kate Schellenbach (drums) was playing in the first line-up of the Beastie Boys, a hardcore punk group at that time. Jill Cunniff (vocals, bass, guitar) had also briefly sung for an earlier incarnation of the Beasties known as the Young Aborigines. Gabby Glaser (vocals, guitar), was a fellow teenage club-goer from the downtown New York City music scene. During this time, Schellenbach and Cunniff edited amicably competing fanzines (Cheap Garbage for Snotty Teens and Decline of Art, respectively). After going to college, the friends found themselves back in New York. Jill and Gabby recorded the first three songs on “In Search of Manny” in a basement studio with engineer and co-producer Tony Mangurian. Luscious Jackson’s first live performance was in 1992 in New York, opening for the Beastie Boys and Cypress Hill. Soon after, Schellenbach and Vivien Trimble (keyboards) were added to the line-up.
While the Beastie Boys were on tour for Check Your Head, they received a three-song demo from Luscious Jackson, asking for their opinion and guidance regarding the best record label for their first release. After listening to the demo, the Beastie Boys agreed that they wanted to work with Luscious Jackson themselves, and they launched their own Grand Royal Records to release “In Search Of Manny,” Luscious Jackson’s debut four-song EP. “The Beastie Boys’ record label Grand Royal was born with the release of ‘In Search Of Manny’,” says Mike D. “Luscious Jackson brought a unique and ‘ahead of its time’ potion, combining disparate elements from all across its own vast NYC universe.” The record topped 1992’s Village Voice Pazz and Jop critics’ poll for Best EP.
After building U.S. college radio play and making inroads at alternative/modern rock radio,.international exposure soon followed when they opened for the Breeders on their 1993 European tour.
1994’s Natural Ingredients, Luscious Jackson’s first full-length album, hit 2 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. “Citysong,” the album’s lead single, pops with cool, rhythmic vocals and a soul-powered keyboard groove. “Strong Man” adds distinctive flute solos and La Belle inspired feminism to the funk, “Here” draws from ‘70s disco with get-up-and-dance handclaps and swirling keyboards, and “Deep Shag” brings acoustic, melodic twang to the mix. Their signature beats still ever-present, Luscious Jackson’s songwriting had evolved into a more focused and crafted style.
In the summer of 1994, Luscious Jackson toured with the Lollapalooza festival (along with the Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, A Tribe Called Quest, Parliament/Funkadelic, the Flaming Lips and others). The band followed Lollapalooza with opening slots on R.E.M.’s arena tour and the Beastie Boys’ European tour. At this point, Luscious Jackson had developed a dedicated fanbase and also headlined shows across the U.S.
In 1996, Luscious Jackson went into the studio with the acclaimed Grammy Award-winning producer Daniel Lanois to record Fever In Fever Out. The rap, funk and pop-tinted “Naked Eye” held Top 40 ranks across the Hot 100 Singles, Mainstream and Adult charts. With healthy alternative radio airplay, the single also peaked at 18 on the Modern Rock chart. “Under Your Skin” and ”Why Do I Lie” (featuring backing vocals by Emmylou Harris) followed, and the album was soon certified gold. Following major promotion and a tour to support Fever In Fever Out, Vivian Trimble left to form Dusty Trails with former Breeder Josephine Wiggs.
Luscious Jackson continued as a trio and in 1999, released Electric Honey. The lead single, “Ladyfingers” (28 Modern Rock), carries a Luscious Jackson signature with its pulsing beats, acoustic guitar and melody. The album’s lush, lyrically gorgeous “Christine” and “Beloved” are joined by the comforting sing-along of “Friends” and break-up and get-up horn and percussion-laden romp of “Nervous Breakthrough” on the new Greatest Hits collection.
In 2000, Luscious Jackson disbanded to pursue different paths of personal and family life, but Jill Cunniff has announced that the band recently reunited to record a new album of music for children. Cunniff will also release her debut solo album on February 20, the same date Luscious Jackson: Greatest Hits will be in stores. Gabby Glaser also released her own solo debut, Gimme Splash, on June 26, 2007.
Luscious Jackson: Greatest Hits
1. Naked Eye
2. Under Your Skin
3. Citysong
4. Deep Shag
5. Ladyfingers
6. Christine
7. Let Yourself Get Down
8. Why Do I Lie?
9. Nervous Breakdown
10. Strong Man
11. Beloved
12. Friends
13. Love Is Here (from A Life Less Ordinary soundtrack)
14. 69 Année Érotique (from Ain’t Nuthin’ But A She Thing benefit album)
15. Here
16. Ladyfingers (Kut Mastra Kurt remix)
17. Naked Eye (Tony Mangurian remix)
18. Why Do I Lie? (Pants On Fire remix)
19. Nervous Breakdown (Thievery Corporation remix)
Click Below to Pre-Order Luscious Jackson's Greatest Hits! In Stores 2/20!!!!
Click Below to Pre-Order Jill Cunniff's new CD City Beach - In Stores 2/20!!!!
Click Below to Order Gabby Glaser's new CD Gimme Splash In Stores Now!!!!
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