by Jason Ankeny
A record as fierce and blunt as its title portends, Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? vaults Marlena Shaw into a brave new world of feminism and funk, updating the sophisticated soul-jazz approach of her previous records to explore a fast-changing musical, political, and sexual landscape. Opening with &You, Me and Ethel,& a hilarious satire of the singles bar culture, the album dissects modern romance with uncommon insight and candor, addressing lust (&Feel Like Makin' Love&) and loss (&You Been Away Too Long&) without pulling any punches. The music is similarly direct and progressive, running the gamut from luminous soul to scorching funk grooves. Not only Shaw's best-selling Blue Note release, Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? represents her creative apex as well.