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G.E.N.E. is no single musician, producer, or influence. Under pseudonyms such as Clio de Mallio, several established musician have brought their own style and instrumentation to recordings. Consequently, it is difficult to get a feel for the totality of the project without quite a bit of listening, or a sampler and some guess work. The over-riding style is laid back, melodically-centered compositions with occasional nature ambiances and sounds. Much of the material borders heavily on new age/NAC radio friendly material but a few of the recordings merit special distinction for their excellence.
Peter Mergener played on the first two albums Fluting Paradise and Life is a Melody. Nowhere as dynamic as the work he does with the mega-group Software, the tunes still have a very serene feel and some excellent sax and flute work from studio musicians.
The two G.E.N.E. recordings that really standout, however, are the albums Rainforest, and Between Oceans & Clouds. Quiet Force co-founder Steve Toeteberg creates an extraordinary mix of sounds and melodies along with some excellent grooves. Both albums feature quiet and upbeat tunes, a vast array of well crafted sounds, and always a few melodies that will really stick in your consciousness. Also notable is the album Katchina, Reinald Frank and Peter Trede's synthesis of the American southwest with the G.E.N.E. treatment.