Ladies with the Sounds of the City. They Should've been bigger

Four women start a band with a touch of hip-hop, alternative, and folk songs. They get the name “Luscious Jackson.” Was it a play on words? Luscious? In researching this, I discovered they named themselves after the nickname of a one time basketball player.

They formed in 1989 but it would be in 1994 that they got media attention. “Citysong” has all the elements they were known for, hip-hop, trip-hop, a little rap street talking and a chill beat. “Deep Shag” was the next release. If you listened to alternative radio, this band was on a lot. This was still the end of grunge and radio couldn’t define alternative anymore, yet they got through.

“Naked Eye” came out in 1996. They hit the American Top 40! They did it without changing their style. Songs were sampled in commercials. They played holiday festivals. In 1999, they have a new album with the song, “Ladyfingers.” It’s the band sound without being redundant. It’s cool yet bouncy.

They sound like the New York City boroughs. There is alternative and jazz and funk. They are just coolness coming out of the speakers.

Things fell in place. The 2000s will be good for them. What will they do next?

I’m still waiting. Apparently after that big hit, radio didn’t care anymore. The band retired. There was a greatest hits compilation in 2007. They should’ve been bigger, but it looked over.

Around 2011 they reunited, but not to cash in. No big tour. The muses called out to them and they enjoyed playing again. I looked around for some recent concert clips or videos. They are really difficult to find.

Have you seen them recently?