This is from guest blogger, Erick Luecking, who has a GREAT blog, Record-racks!  The guy knows his stuff and always has some incredible music that others miss out on!

KOOP RELEASES GREATEST HITS PACKAGE

Koop is a Swedish production duo consisting of Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson who incorporate sampling to create light jazz that has a real swing to it.  April 13th will see the release of a greatest hits package entitled “Coup De Grace (1997-2007).”  To date, they have only released three original albums – “Sons Of Koop,” “Waltz For Koop,” and “Koop Islands” – as well as a remix project of “Waltz For Koop.”  The latter has a very laidback club feel to it that maintains its jazzy elements with an electronic house-like backdrop.  The real genius, though, shines through in the original work.

“Summer Sun” from “Waltz For Koop” is a perfect song to get yourself ready for the upcoming warm weather.  It’s fun, bouncy, and has a real charm to it.  Similarly, “Tonight” from the same album deviates into a 5/4 rhythm with a wonderful vocal performance by Mikael Sunoin.

The follow-up album “Koop Islands” was a worthy junior album that took four years to be released after its predecessor.  The formula was much the same with a nod to ’30s and ’40s jazz standards and guest vocalists who were for the most part unknown here in the States but who melded well with the style of the record with their breezy tones.  Singles such as “Come To Me” and “Koop Island Blues” show as much.

The only track you get on the hits package that was from their debut album is “Glomd,” a much more heavy club track of which you can pick out points that showcased where they would eventually go five years later.  It’s not terrible, and is a nice bonus for historical reference, but the real winners come from the following two albums.

“Coup De Grace” is a great sampler of their work that spans nearly fifteen years, although it’s available only as an import.  Here stateside, however, you would be better served (and would be easier on your wallet) to hunt down “Waltz For Koop” and “Koop Islands,” as both are well worth blind buys.  If you’re still unsure, you can hear samples on their MySpace page.

Koop