A subtle and occasionally quirky blend of jazz, funk, classical and pop styles is what comprises Avantgarden’s sound, and also what makes them pretty unique. The inventive violin from Samantha Fonti (any relation to the Caligula siblings?) seems quite at home weaving its way around a bouncy jazz chorus on Reach For The Sky, while songs like One Way Track appear to move around according to the direction the violin takes. Chris Rambling’s guitar and vocals are given necessary free reign, getting nicely funky on Who Needs TV? And moving into more laid back strumming mode on I Hear The Evening Call. This Delicate Essence is an aptly-named piece of work: their gentle, sublime sounds are sharply defined within an inventive framework. Impressive.
- On The Street (Australia)