(Capitol/EMI)

Ah, the ‘best of’ or ‘greatest hits’ album – fleecing fans with a few remixes and rarities, or offering an introduction to that band you always liked but not enough to buy the album? This example of the genre will hopefully bring more listeners to the group that inspired the Beastie Boys to found the Grand Royal record label. Yes that’s right, Luscious Jackson’s In Search of Manny EP was Grand Royal #1 back in 1992.

According to Beastie Boy Mike D’s liner notes, the Luscious Jackson girls – Jill, Gabby and Kate – were one step up the ‘smarter-than-thou, young NYC teenage punk know-it-all’ food chain from the boys who became beastly. The girls had a fanzine that served as a entry into gigs and interviews with the bands, and were always able to fake the night’s entry stamp or rush a back stage entrance when that failed. As musicians they had friends in high places and when a demo tape made by Jill Cunniff and Gabby Glaser became a tour-bus staple on the Beasties Check Your Head tour they soon found themselves with a record deal. They soon added former Beasties drummer Kate Schellenbach, and shortly after the release of their debut EP filled out their sound with the addition of Vivian Trimble on keys.

Luscious Jackson were never as eclectic as their more famous label bosses. Though they did share some of the same influences, particularly when the Beasties were indulging in The In Sound From Way Out or working with Money Mark. They melded sweet summer pop with hip-hop beats and glimpses of melted soundtrack exotica. Their first live show was opening for Cypress Hill and the Beasties, but Luscious were always more sultry pop than hip-hop. After all it’s hard to imaging the Beasties regularly enlisting Emmylou Harris on backing vocals. Like the Money Mark, the keyboard playing ‘4th Beastie’ they were part of a group of Grand Royal artists, such as Bran Van 3000 and Sean Lennon, with an adventurous approach to classic pop music. Essentially Luscious Jackson were Cibo Matto with real songs, rather than jingles about chickens.

This compilation features the highlights from the band’s three albums – Natural Ingredients, 1994; Fever In Fever Out, 1996; and Electric Honey, 1999 – as well as that debut EP, a few remixes and two ‘rare’ tracks. The non-album tracks are the suitably slippery take on Serge Gainsbourg’s 69 Année Érotique and Love is Here from the Life Less Ordinary soundtrack. Love is Here is defiantly worth another listen, unfairly relegated to its soundtrack appearance, it’s one of the band’s finest moments – with its prowling bassline and hip-hip percussion.

Other highlights include Ladyfingers, Nervous Breakthrough – the early disco dancefloor filler that never was – and their ode to nudity Naked Eye. “Wearing nothing is divine/ /Naked is a state of mind/ /And it feels alright.” With its half rapped verses rising to a chorus of lush vocal harmonies Naked Eye was deservedly their biggest hit.

At a generous running time of over 70 minutes most fan faves are included though arguments could be made for the inclusion of the glam rockish Fantastic Fabulous with its dry Deborah Harry-cameo, the sultry Mood Swing and the romance of Electric. Though thankfully the wine-bar version of Gershwin’s I’ve Got a Crush on You is left in the background. None or the remixes are improvements on the originals, but both Kut Master Kurt and the Thievery Corporation turn in typically solid work.

While ‘Greatest Hits’ may be a bit of a stretch for a band who only cracked the Billboard charts once – #36 for Naked Eye – this ‘best of’ should satisfy the casual Luscious fan. Or you could just investigate the back catalogue, starting with Fever In Fever Out – with the band firing out their tightest tunes aided by the production genius of Daniel Lanois (of U2 and late nineties Bob Dylan comeback records fame).