AVE SANGRIA

A charming bit of Brazilian psychedelic hippy folk-rock. At points it seems a little reminiscent of the folkier moments in David Bowie's early discography, but such influences are quickly mastered and integrated into a distinctly Brazilian take on the general style. The use of keyboards and synthesisers are for the most part understated but give a refreshing twist to proceedings. Had this emerged in, say, California in the 1960s people would have been all over it; as it stood, Ave Sangria don't seem to have gained much traction outside of Brazil, and to be honest over time I find it gives diminishing returns unless you are very into the samba aspects of the group's sound.