I heard this on Radio Paradise yesterday, and was instantly forced into stress-free relaxation mode. Koop is a group from Stockholm, Sweden, led by Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson. They’ve got some very cool jazz and swing vibes going on. As it’s put in their bio: “the swing of the 1930s, the exoticism of forgotten orchestras and entertainers performing on late 40s yacht cruises to Jamaica.”

They have Japanese singer Yukimi Nagano singing on a few tracks on their latest album, Koop Island, including this song. Her voice just puts me in a nice place.

Koop: Koop Island Blues (mp3)

Buy Koop Island (only available as an import in the US).

Watch a short YouTube clip of Koop with Yukimi Nagano.

Koop’s Web Site | MySpace

Jazz, Laid Back