An excellent masterpiece in it purest form! Still in 2007 as today an great example of contemporary bossa nova. Made in 2001 it breaths the air of the mid '50's. I like it, I love it. Get it if you find a copy.

This LP may have turned into a 'coffee table classic', much in the same vein that Sade's "Diamond Life" did in the mid-eighties, but this shouldn't be taken as an excuse for instant turn-off by listeners.

The main aim of Koop on this album is to add a twist to the 60's jazz-bossa sound. By using subtle melodies that solicit the carefree environ of the time and including soulful key changes any artist would be proud of, this they achieve in abundance.
You only have to listen to the opening title track "Waltz For Koop" to have some understanding for their position on things. The track invokes a feeling of uncertainty as it strolls along in a gentle 3/4 time. It brings obvious reminiscences of summer, whilst one imagines any of a number of French Nouvelle Vague arthouse films about difficult love affairs, or such like.

Modal is strong here too. Along with fellow contempories, Gerardo Frisina & Nicole Conte, who have referenced Sahib Shihab on many a production of theirs, the track "Soul For Sahib" has the vigour & balance of any of the mans work.

"Relaxin' At Club Fusion" does what it says on the proverbiable tin. Play this in a club, and your audience will love you forever (well...certainly at least for that night)!

Overall a very enjoyable LP that will easily be able to be pulled out and listened to in the decades to come.

An absolutely superb album. WALTZ FOR KOOP manages to make modern music that sounds like it could have come from the Roaring '20s, full of lush instrumentation and warm, summery feeling. The title track sets the mood (and the rhythm) for the entire album. Many of the tracks are indeed set in waltz (3/4) time, which gives them a unique swing. "Tonight" arranges its chords artfully, giving them a counterbalance and urgency, while "Baby" has melancholy strings in the background to supplement Cecelia Stanton's longing voice. The flute breakdown in the middle of the song switches the mood somewhat, only to have the piano outro reprise the sad theme. On a completely different note, "Summer Sun," is all sunshine and smiles, the perfect embodiment of July on the beach with a martini in the sand. "Soul for Sahib" is a frantic jazz workout, while "Modal Mile" and "In a Heartbeat" are both more measured and gravelly. "Relaxin' at Club F****n" is club-ready, dark and with a jazzy bite. Finally, "Bright Nights" is a mood piece, well-suited for cruising through a downtown cityscape long after the clubs have let out. Marvelous through and through.

Pretentious, tuneless cash-in attempt by crossdressing swedes. Hiring Terry Callier, much like anyone who's looking for instant credibility these days, doesn't help.
This is all polish and shine, no grit no soul.
Unless you really do enjoy music that is made solely to fit nicely in you B&O hifi, beware of this.

nice ambient-style electro pop/jazz from sweden. their previous record is more pure ambient, but this is far better. vocalists (16 yr old) yukimi nagano, cecilia stalin and terry callier are great.

how has anyone given this album less that 5 out of 5? thought the live performance had room for improvement from what i saw at cargo mind....