Genetti, Carol / Smith, Damon / Lonborg-Holm, Fred – “Sense of Hearing ” – [Balance Point Acoustics]

Inspired improv sounds. Genetti is an amazing vocalist based in Chicago. On Tracks 1-8 she’s working in the studio with Damon Smith (double bass). When Genetti’s not singing words that aren’t words, she ransacks her large inventory of bleats, mutters, high squeals, low growls, yells, and groans, and uses every one of them at one point or another. I sometimes found it hard to focus on Smith’s bass contributions because I was always on the edge of my seat waiting for Genetti’s next outburst. I learned to pay attention to him, though, because his playing (including scrapes, taps, thuds, and low sustains as only a bass can make) is strong, creative, and every bit as genre-defying as are Genetti’s vocals. Tracks 9-12 find Genetti and Smith performing live at Chicago’s legendary Empty Bottle, with local luminary Fred Lonberg-Holm sitting in on cello. The stringed instruments working together make these trio pieces especially potent.