The voice of women in popular music has never been stronger. Bands like

The Breeders, L7, and Hole prove volume is not a uniquely male device.

Along with the liberation of guitar rock, female artists create diversity

in many ways, redefining pop-rock gender roles.

With this in mind, it stands to reason the best new hip-hop CD comes

from an all-female band. Luscious Jackson avoids stereotypes of every

kind, eschewing both “girl group” and hip-hop cliches. Natural

Ingredients’, their new album-length CD on the Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal

label, fulfills the promise of last year’s Searching for Manny EP.

These ladies have the funk, as Bootsy Collins might say.

Bassist Jill Cunniff and guitarist Gabrielle Glaser trade raps on the

first single and video, “Citysong.” The track moves along on a genuinely

infectious groove. Homages to New York are a dime a dozen, but this tune’s

charm, and that of the whole album, lies in its strong sense of

coolness. This is not the American slang idea of “cool,” but the coolness

in attitude inspired by traditional African music. Luscious Jackson’s

grooves don’t assault the listener like those of Primus or Knoxville’s own

Wicked Cow People, they offer a sonic back rub and a friendly “How do

you do?”

Some songs address the age old topic of gender relationships. In

“Strongman,” Cunniff asks for a man she can call “super solid.” She sings,

“It takes a strong man/To stand by a strong woman.” “Find Your Mind” is the

moral Cunniff and Glaser offer for a story of a woman who seeks her

self-worth through her relationships with men.

The seventh track, “Here,” is destined for dance club fame. Its

disco-esque beat and jingly-wet guitar hooks inspire thoughts of Isaac

Hayes’ “Shaft.” The refrain instructs, “Get on the floor/let’s dance some

more,” and it’s hard not to obey.