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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' woozy organ accompaniment and extended sci-fi ruminations. On an album full of visceral interplay this brooding opener stands apart. Curiously too, for a quintet sans bass, grooves largely trump soloing throughout Agreement. Downes' left hand ably fills that particular vacancy, while his right provokes wicked streams of jazz-cum-prog-noir.
On the driving "Dancing with the Devil," propelled by drummer Sean Carpio's bustling rhythms, there are snappy solos from Halpin and Downes, underpinned by guitarist Hanno Busch's fuzz-toned grunge. Old-school tenor warmth imbues Halpin's playing on "Dog Day Afternoon," a lazy blues of sultry hues. Likewise, on the rhythmically dense "The Beach," Halpin's lyricism plants at least one of his feet in a post-bop tradition which hints at Joe Lovano's influence. Atmospherics also play an important role, as pockets of echo-tinged tenor and Busch's slightly distorted tone attest on the powerful "Swings and Roundabouts."
The group is arguably at its most persuasive on uncluttered straight-ahead fare such as the boppish "Awkward Handshakes" and the burning, John Scofield-esque "Pop Fiction." On the latter, saxophonist and guitarist ride in tandem on the head, with Busch's precise yet biting solo displaying none of the frayed edges he purveys elsewhere. By way of contrast, the sub three-minute "Treetown" pitches Halpin with Carpio and percussionist Sergio Martinez in a hypnotic duel of tenor minimalism and dancing Afro-Caribbean groove. No less personal in stamp is "Sigh for Sam," an enveloping meditation of dream- like qualities founded on Carpio's heart-beat bass drum pulse.
Just 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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About Matthew Halpin
Instrument: Saxophone
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