No better than Koop
Hearing the new one item by Koop my advice is to have it, but expect something completely different than the first one...
I don't like the sound of the 20`s , 30's & 40's jazz, 'cause I like specially trios and piano than orchestras...but this record has 3 or 4 little gems...and that's why it worths to have it!
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Jazz, its not from Sweden.
I dont know, I think these guys lost it and went ahead and maybe consumed some of their own kool aid? This is cute but its missing something. Its like they listened to a lot of music and are influenced by the right things, but its just missing the soul. It might be because they arent really musicians and this is an album based on samples? They sample nice stuff,I just think a deeper understanding of the music is missing.Guys and computers sometimes miss the point. I dont know what it is. I love their other work. This album leaves me flat. I went to see them live. Their band was great, incredible sidemen and a charming female lead singer, it was well put together but it was the same thing over and over. Very tight, very well done, just cold and boring at the end of the day. The level of musicianship was very high but it felt like we learned how to play music from books. The two main members of KOOP just stood there in the back, wearing black shirts and seemed angry ( it's like they ate lemons for breakfast, not a smile to be found ) and odd and uncomfortable, it was like the snl skit "SPROCKETS". They ( the two guys that make up KOOP to be clear ) left me cold they introduced the singer as "she is not the singer on the album but she joins us tonight" A cultural thing Im sure, as I have some Swedish friends and they have a different take on comedy. Ever heard the following phrase "famous stand up comedian from sweden"?? Didnt think so. Buy this album if you want a light , simple , shallow escape....get it, you'll enjoy it for that. But dont buy it because other reviewers say its brilliant. Its not, John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" is brilliant, this is cute. I know Im speaking more about the act than just this album so a lot of folks may say this review wasn't helpful. I dont blame you for that. Im using this forum to react to their new album and their live show. Fair enough. Im just getting sick of albums made by european artists based on jazz an american art form that just miss the soul of the music. The best jazz is still made in the united states. The best "Electronic jazz", is actually also made in the states, we just loathe our own electronic community so much we look to europe for an identity. Sorry folks. KOOP lost it on this one. I dont expect to see them get it back either. One trick ponies. Look to domestic acts such as Thievery Corporation , Ursula 1000 , Mocean Worker ( who I saw open for KOOP and blew them away )and give them the love. KOOP ISLANDS... 2 Stars. Sorry boys , its time to go back to the drawing board, show me some development, do something different and dont take 5 years in between albums to make me wait for essentially the same thing. Set the bar higher please. Maybe your aren't able to, thanks for the other work if that's the case.
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Best Album in years
I also heard this on radioparadise.com and rushed to buy it here. It is absolutely fabulous, prob the best album I have bought in years. A number of the songs grabbed me immediately with their infectous island jazz rythms and beautiful vocals. The more I listened to it though, the more I grew to appreciate the composition, the instrumentals, everything. Wow.
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Brilliant and relaxing
I first heard Koop on Radio Paradise (via iTunes), where the first two cuts from Koop Islands are in rotation. This album is kind of '40s swing with an occasional Caribbean spin and some very modern lyrics. Since getting this, I've bought Koop's other two albums, and also sent this album to my 78-year-old uncle for his birthday. And I deeply regret missing Koop when they played recently at Bimbo's 360 in San Francisco; I just hope I can catch them live soon.
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