Koop

The duo Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson produces the innovative recordings issued under the Koop name. Their primary influences stemmed from jazz players, although they also absorbed techniques from hip-hop and dance producers while establishing the project amid Sweden’s thriving jazz community. The pair first connected in Uppsala before relocating to Stockholm, where they enlisted various collaborators and issued their initial album in 1997. Sons of Koop introduced a fresh approach to Swedish jazz and earned notice from fellow European jazz/electronica artists Jazzanova and Kruder & Dorfmeister. The group returned in 2001 with Waltz for Koop, a release that confirmed the strength of their adventurous approach and enlisted vocal contributions from Cecilia Stalin and Yukimi Nagano. After Waltz for Koop appeared, Compost issued singles for “Summer Sun” and “Bright Nights,” each containing remixes. The companion collection Waltz for Koop: Alternative Takes surfaced in late 2003, yet the next proper album, Koop Islands, did not arrive until 2007.