Design in Time
Design in Time is an album by American jazz reedist Ken Vandermark, which was recorded in 1999 and released on Delmark. It was the debut recording by the Sound in Action Trio, which features two drummers: former Sun Ra percussionist Robert Barry and frequent Vandermark collaborator Tim Mulvenna. Most of the tunes are classics written by Ornette Coleman, Thelonious Monk, Sun Ra, Don Cherry and Albert Ayler. Reception. In her review for AllMusic, Joslyn Layne states ""Design in Time" is a very strong jazz release that becomes more wowing and impressive with each listen." "The Penguin Guide  to Jazz" says "Barry and Mulvenna make an unapologetically swinging team, playing at least as much time as they do free, and with Coleman, Monk and Ayler among the composer-credits, this is an amenable place to acquaint a newcomer with Vandermark's methods." The "JazzTimes" review by Bill Shoemaker notes that "If playing solo is, as often stated, like working a high-wire without a net, venturing out with arrangements for a single horn and two drummers adds a bed of spikes to the simile." In his review for All About Jazz, Derek Taylor states "Given the solid rhythmic  foundry the two afford him, Vandermark is free to cut loose at will on both tenor and clarinet, but unexpectedly he often opts on the side of restraint. His decision is a shrewd move and rightly places the textural emphasis on the intricate interplay between all three players, particularly the drummers." The "PopMatters" review by Imre Szeman says "Vandermark tones it down somewhat, opting for a more melodic and even introspective approach, while still maintaining a high degree of energy and movement. The results are impressive: this is a flat out stellar jazz album, even though it may well come  to occupy only a minor place in Vandermark’s already considerable ouevre."