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Matthew Halpin: Agreements
ByThe quirky "To-Do Today To-Do Dismay" represents a bold opening gambit which is unlikely to leave the listener indifferent. The tempo of Halpin's simple, ringtone-like motif slows and quickens in harness with

Kit Downes
keyboardsb.1986
On the driving "Dancing with the Devil," propelled by drummer

Sean Carpio
drumsHanno Busch
guitar, electric
Joe Lovano
drumsb.1952
The group is arguably at its most persuasive on uncluttered straight-ahead fare such as the boppish "Awkward Handshakes" and the burning,

John Scofield
guitarb.1951
Sergio Martinez
percussionJust as the album begins on a boldly risqué footing, so too, Halpin gently crowns his debut with "Sleep," his most left-field composition. This ethereal a cappella lullaby of poetic constructionharmonized for three voicesdovetails with Halpin's softly rendered phrasing, shimmering organ and guitar textures, and metallic punctuation as fleeting as shooting stars.
Constantly engaging and not infrequently surprising, Agreements is a highly satisfying debut which draws from past tradition while keeping an eye fixed firmly on the horizon. On this evidence, Halpin's trajectory will be one to follow, for sure. ">
Track Listing
To-Do Today, To-Do Dismay; Dancing with The Devil; Dog Day Afternoon; The Beach; Swings and Roundabouts; Sit Up and Shut Down; Awkward Handshakes; Pop Fiction; Treetown; Sigh for Sam; Sleep.
Personnel
Matthew Halpin
saxophoneKit Downes
keyboardsHanno Busch
guitar, electricSergio Martinez
percussionSean Carpio
drumsAdditional Instrumentation
Veronika Morscher, Rebekka Salomea Ziegler, Laura Totenhagen: vocals (11).
Album information
Title: Agreements | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Frutex Tracks
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