The BTMSQ is named for the little-known Washington state jazz saxophonist, who, upon his death, was discovered to have been a woman who'd lived most of her adult life as a man. The fact that the band is made up of women is relevant only because the band's choice name makes it so; otherwise, they should be rightly known as a very tight, very capable sax quartet plus drummer that combines elements of swing and funk in an intelligent, playful, engaging manner. For this set they add a trumpet (Angelina Baldoz) on one track; the rest is saxes and drums. Holding down the groove with drummer Pam Barger is baritonist Barbara Marino, who's both an irresistible force and an immovable object. Her tone is huge, her time superb. Principal composers
Amy Denio and
Jessica Lurie contribute the cliché-free tunes -- heavy on funk and odd-time counterpoint -- that form the strength of the album. Solo-wise the band occasionally comes up a bit short (the energetic tenorist Maya Johnson has the most well-developed voice). Given, however, that the band's prime virtues are it's precision of execution and wonderful compositions, asking them to be great improvisers is a bit unfair. A most listenable album. ~ Chris Kelsey