29th January 2012: Jeff Williams, 4 Star review in February issue of Downbeat Magazine

Another great showing in the press for Jeff Williams’ ‘Another Time‘!  The article below will be appearing soon in the FEB 2012 edition of Downbeat Magazine.  Here is a sneak peak at the review, which gets 4 stars.

Jeff Williams
Another Time
Whirlwind Recordings 4616
It all begins with a drum solo. For more than a minute, “Search Me,” the first track off Another Time, bursts out of the speakers with crisp snare rolls, thundering toms and, finally, stunted cymbal sibilance. The improvisation, neither flashy nor indulgent, is Jeff Williams’ only brief moment in the spotlight. Williams sits in the background, but he doesn’t become time-keeping wallpaper. His drumming interacts with trumpeter Duane Eubanks and alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher, but he never demands to be heard. In the quartet—John Hebert, on bass, lays down a harmonic foundation in the absence of a piano—Williams has focused on creating an energy for his bandmates through vibrant, organic patterns. On Another Time, Williams celebrates the contributions of his musical allies by including three tunes written by each of the sidemen (the drummer penned the remaining pieces). Eubanks’ “Purple, Blue And Red” starts as a mournful ballad and takes on a new shape with a double- time section before slowing back down for the solos. Hebert’s “Fez” is a sprightly piece, and Williams sits out initially before swooping in with brushes on O’Gallagher’s “Go Where You’re Watching,” a tender tune with a spindly melody. —Jon Ross

Another Time: Search Me; She Can’t Be A Spy; Double Life; Purple, Blue And Red; Fez; Under The
Radar; Go Where You’re Watching; Another Time. (52:58)
Personnel: Jeff Williams, drums; Duane Eubanks, trumpet; John O’Gallagher, alto saxophone; John
Hébert, bass.

Ordering info: whirlwindrecordings.com