Tim Berne's "The Shell Game" is a captivating journey into the avant-garde and free jazz realms, recorded in 2000 across Denmark and Sweden. This album, released under Thirsty Ear Recordings in 2002, showcases Berne's mastery of the alto saxophone alongside the dynamic interplay of Craig Taborn on piano and Tom Rainey on drums. Spanning a concise yet intense 66 minutes, the album comprises four tracks: "Hard Cell (For Tom)," "Twisted|Straightjacket," "Heavy Mental (For Wayne Krantz)," and "Thin Ice." Each piece is a testament to Berne's innovative compositional approach and his ability to push the boundaries of jazz. "The Shell Game" is a bold exploration of sound and structure, offering listeners a raw and unfiltered experience of contemporary jazz at its most adventurous.
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