Halpern played trumpet and guitar in the New York City jazz scene of the 1960s, but became disenchanted with it and moved to California.
[7] Gramavision also licensed Halpern's prior albums for sale in more traditional retail sectors, as well as alternative ones.
[12] His aim was to replace more static noise providers like television or radio with sounds that he thought resonated better with the chakras (energy centres in the body, according to yogic philosophies).
His techniques included the use of self-hypnosis and subliminal persuasion, to try to release the listener's mind more directly from the stress affecting it.
Voices inaudible to the regular ear are imbedded in the tape, attempting to suggest positive ideas to the mind.
[16] Halpern has also designed recordings that are meant to be played for up to 8 continuous hours, to be used by people experiencing medical distress such as childbirth or surgery.
[17] Halpern's music was specifically utilized in the self-help recordings of John Bradshaw, a public figure in alternative addictions treatment through the 1970s and 1980s.