TBT- Lucy Pearl

Who remembers Lucy Pearl? I don’t know about anyone else, but the forming of super groups, the blending of musical styles and tastes, always excites something inside me; and this was no exception. What did any of them have in common? Not a damn thing, except for the fact that they each came from 3 of the hottest acts of the 90’s- Raphel Saddiq of Tony, Toni, Tone; Dawn Robinson of En Vogue, and Ali-Shaheed Muhammed of A Tribe Called Quest. Somehow their styles blended together, at least for their self titled debut album in 2000. Their first single, “Dance Tonight” was everywhere, largely in part to the fact that it was also part of the widely popular, “Love and Basketball” soundtrack.

Each member had something different they brought to the table: Saddiq in terms of songwriting and vision; Robinson, in terms of sultry image and vocals; and Muhammad in terms of production. Their next single, “Don’t Mess With My Man,” was in deed “fire” and only further solidified their definitive Neo-Soul sound. Despite tensions within the band, they still maintained a certain chemistry that came through on record; fitting like “a hand in glove.” In only one album, they perfected a sound and style that it normally takes most groups years together to accomplish.

Enjoy this trip back to the turn of the century….