Avantgarden has combined an eclectic medley of musical styles to produce a sound that is truly unique. Incorporating a wide range of instruments, Avantgarden fuse together the sounds of jazz and cabaret, classical and rock to create music, which is stimulating through its very diversity.

They weave Eastern musical strains throughout the songs, with strings moving in haunting, mystical patterns. Chris Rambling’s vocals are distinctive and strong as he entertains listeners with lyrics, which are colourful and often eccentric. Samantha Fonti’s backing vocals are clear and clean and lift the music as they trace the eastern melodic spirals. Song rhythms are jaunty and off-beat in an intelligent and thought provoking way; while the melodies are rich in sound with such an instrumental variety.

Avantgarden blend together the sounds of trumpet, saxophone, guitar, trombone, flute, violin, drums and cymbals among other instruments. The arrangements stimulate musical conversation and each instrument finds a voice, which is distinct, while yielding to the musical collaboration.The music offers lonely instrumental comments and wacky, jaunty tunes. One can hear the sound of a ringing telephone next to an operatic vocal composition!

Spirited and unconventional, Avantgarden produce music which belong in a black comic opera! At the same time the jazz arrangements are definitive and strong, keeping the song beats swinging, and the instrumental collusion tongue-in-cheek. In all, Avantgarden have produced an album whose sound defies practical classification. It is necessary to check this one out for yourself.

-Tharunka magazine (Australia) Back to reviews