Another Time Whirlwind****

Drummer Jeff Williams has been in constant demand as a side-man since he began his career with Stan Getz in the early 1970s, and that perhaps explains why records under his own name are so infrequent. Another Time,Williams's first in a decade, is a chance to hear where his head is at these days, and the answer is: full of ideas. His quartet of New Yorkers (including trumpeter Duane Eubanks, alto saxophonist John O'Gallagher and bassist John Hébert) tackle a set of the drummer's own compositions, which locate the connection between the freedom of Ornette Coleman and the rhythmic adventure of Dave Holland. Their "chordless" approach liberates the harmony and creates a very open-textured group sound. O'Gallagher in particular impresses with his sinuous, Konitz-like lines, and Williams's experienced hands pull it all together without ever seeming to impose anything as vulgar as a steady pulse. willfulmusic.com.