Originally Posted by OccultHawk

If you define avant garde as groundbreaking (which is reasonable) I don't have any clear cut examples. It is groundbreaking. I was defining avant garde as less accessible to the typical ear and I get your (probable) point that avant garde means on the vanguard and that applies to Bitches Brew. My gut reaction is that Bitches Brew is too immediately accessible to really be avant garde but I don't mind the correction. Definitions aside I think Bitches Brew is easier chewing than late period Coltrane and makes for a fine jumping off point. The OP mentioned the record so it seems reasonable to say start there. Especially since he expresses a willingness to expand his horizons.