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.