snobb English sax player Elton Dean is well-known on the British scene from his participation with the Keith Tippett Sextet in the late 60s, an even more high profile membership on the best Soft Machine albums, many related solo works within the Canterbury scene, as well as free jazz related projects too. French pianist Sophia Domancich is not as well known, but besides her work with Orchestre National de Jazz she was also involved with several Canterbury scene releases covering several decades (she was in Pip Pyle's Equip' Out and a member of Soft Bounds besides collaborations on some other Canterbury scene albums).

Recorded live in France, "Avant" is an interesting album for every Elton Dean/Sophia Domancich fan because of a few reasons. It is their first (and only) duo release and is quite a unique case because you can hear both musicians improvising without help from any other musicians. All four of the album's compositions are based on some composed material, but in a big part they are of an improvisational character and demonstrate an extremely high level of communication between the two artists. Sophia's piano is mostly cold, with a strong chamber flavor, Elton sax's soloing fills all the space around with dark, and in moments, nostalgic and melancholic improvs. This is a somber music and is heavily based on European chamber traditions, but at the same time it is made more lively due to the improvisational character. These are well organised and melodic improvisations that are quite accessible, one great recording from Elton Dean's last years.

Recommended for fans of Elton Dean.