The best Tim Berne albums
20 records, ordered by how much they reward a first listen — not by chart position.
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Snakeoil
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1
The Shell Game
2001
A complex interplay of avant-garde jazz textures and intricate rhythms that challenge conventional forms.
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2
Electric and Acoustic Hard Cell Live
2004
Exploratory improvisation melds intricate saxophone lines with a dynamic rhythm section, creating a rich soundscape that challenges conventional jazz forms.
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3
Snakeoil
2012
A sprawling jazz exploration that marries intricate improvisation with a dynamic interplay of textures and rhythms.
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4
Feign
2005
A labyrinth of intricate melodies and rhythmic complexities, intertwining free jazz improvisation with structured composition.
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5
Pre-Emptive Denial
2005
A labyrinthine exploration of improvisational jazz that intertwines intricate melodies with free-form structures.
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6
Science Friction
2002
A complex interplay of avant-garde jazz with intricate layering and spontaneous bursts, challenging conventional structures and listener expectations.
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7
Livein Cognito
2006
A labyrinthine exploration of improvisational jazz that intertwines intricate melodies with spontaneous energy.
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8
Nice View
1994
A sprawling exploration of avant-garde jazz, blending intricate improvisation with dense, unpredictable structures.
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9
Open, Coma
2001
An expansive exploration of improvisational jazz, weaving intricate melodies through extended compositions that challenge traditional song structures.
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10
Please Advise
1999
A sprawling dialogue of intricate saxophone lines entwined with unpredictable rhythmic shifts and avant-garde textures.
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11
Incidentals
2017
A complex interplay of avant-garde jazz and expansive improvisation, weaving intricate narratives through spontaneous soundscapes.
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12
The Ancestors
1983
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13
The Veil
2011
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14
Visitation Rites
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15
Big Satan
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16
Pace Yourself
1991
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17
Saturation Point
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18
Poisoned Minds: The Paris Concert
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19
Seconds
2007
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20
Discretion