Cocktail Nation Evenings at the Penthouse - Merry Christmas

As Koop takes his annual vacation, please enjoy hand-picked highlights from past seasons, including this very special Evenings At The Penthouse Christmas show. So grab yourself a smart cocktail, sit back in front of the fireplace and Christmas tree, and enjoy some swanky seasonal sounds.

Merry Christmas from the team at Cocktail Nation with a special show for Christmas!

Peggy Lee - White Christmas

Lou Rawls - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Tiki Joes Ocean - We Three Kings

Julie London - I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

Michael Buble - I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Dean Martin - Winter Wonderland

June Christy - I’m Sorry To See You leave

Nancy Wilson - What Are You Doing For New Year

Renzo Cesana - I Bought You Violets

Al Caiola - Holiday On Skis

Tiki Torches - Do You Hear What I Hear?

Tiki Torches - Quiet Christmas Village

Tiki Joes Ocean - Dance Of The Sugar Fairy

Tiki Joes Ocean - Angels Have Heard On High

Royal Crown Revue - Christmas Greetings

Carmen McRae & Sammy Davis Jr - Baby It’s Cold Outside

Bing Crosby - Frosty The Snowman

Dean Martin - Winter Wonderland

Nancy Wilson - That’s What I Want For Christmas

Peggy Lee - White Christmas

Cocktail Nation 384 Best of the Best 2015

As Koop takes his annual vacation, please enjoy hand-picked highlights from past seasons, including a very special (by popular demand) Christmas show, coming the weekend before Christmas. So grab yourself a smart cocktail, sit back, and reminisce over past shows. Let's jump in the wayback machine to November of 2015 for the Best of the Best of 2015.

Some stand out tracks for 2015 in the world of Lounge and Exotica, and this week we play some of them as we count down the tracks in what I like to call The Best of the Best for 2015. Plus, we replay some of our interviews with the stars of lounge and tiki.

Tiki Delights - Cosmopolitian
Kim Nazarian with John Pizzarelli - Gotta Be This Or That
James Spencer - In a Blue Mood
Jimmy Borges - Luck Be A Lady
Jetset Unlimited - Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Daniel Pemberton - Bugs, Beats and Bow Ties
Perry Beekman - S'Wonderful
Tikiyaki Orchestra - Idol Worship            
Seth McFarlane - No One Ever Tells You
Uptown Jazz Quartet - He Was The Cat
Satin Chaps - Stompin
Jimmy Psycho - Thunderbirds
Codename Carter - Perfect Clarity Perfect Cut
Tiki Delights - Swank
Robert Drasnin - La Mer Azure
Tiki Cowboys - Blue Tiki

The Top Ten - week ending 16 December 2017

Brrrrrr......

It's brutally cold in my part of the world. Desperately seeking a warm state of mind..... and a fireplace and hot toddy and some chilled music.

Thankfully, there are many options, including This is Lounge to make my space warm.

Matt Bianco remains at number one this week. Kant Sleep's chillhop follows at number two, and Phigroa's Headed Home (for Christmas?) rounds out the top three.

I've noticed a bit of a drop in listeners lately, no doubt due to everyone doing seasonal things - shopping, partying, visiting friends. That's to be expected. But don't forget that we're here. Have some friends dropping by? Be sure to have us on in the background for a romantic seasonal mix.

Celebrating the season, my friends in the acappella sensation, 4Skor, have released a seasonal gift for their fans. Be sure to listen as we share their take on Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

I hope you are also enjoying the title track from Velvet Dreamer's new album, out on Lemongrassmusic.  It's a wonderful album. Be sure to check it out.

Making the jump from Bubbling Under this week finds Soundcloud find, Flughand, coming in at number ten. Enjoy.

Thanks for the comments posted at www.thisislounge.com. Everyone seems to be enjoying the mix of Christmas tunes and jazz and chill. Thank you for your kind words. Thanks for spreading the news about the station.

Enjoy your weekend, and the Christmas season.

Stay chilled.

1. Matt Bianco -Heart in Chains

2. Kant Sleep –Take A Dip (Late Night)

3. Phigroa – Headed Home

4. Five Seasons -Smooth Workout

5. Citrus Jam – Do You See (ft. Judith Erb)( Rainbow Mix)

6. Naoki Kenji –Floating Minds

7. Charlotte Gainsbourg – Rest

8. Stacey Kent – Photograph

9. .anxious. -Caffeine Crash

10. Flughand - Hylla

Bubbling Under

Velvet Dreamer – Different World

4Skor – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Cocktail Nation 433 Twilight - Best of the Best 2016

As Koop takes his annual vacation, please enjoy hand-picked highlights from past seasons, including a very special (by popular demand) Christmas show, coming the weekend before Christmas. So grab yourself a smart cocktail, sit back, and reminisce over past shows.  To begin, let's take a listen to the best of last year, 2016.

As the year grinds to a halt we check out the best music releases of the year and speak to the people who created them!

The Sharps - Tenor Madness

Tony Felicetta of The Sharps interview

Narco Lounge Combo - My Night With Sinatra

Richie Paradise of Narco Lounge combo interview

Tikiyaki 5-0 - Supernova 

Jim Bacchi of Tikiyaki 5-0 interview

Codename Carter - Perfect Clarity Perfect Cut

Out Of Abingdon - Three Piece Suit

Warwick Hargreaves of Out of Abingdon Interview

Roland Remington - Martinique

Roland Remington Interview

Ixtaheule - Call Of the Islands

Mattias Uneback of Ixtaheule Interview

The Top Ten - week ending 9 December 2017

The weekend is finally upon us! But since it is the festive season, relaxing seems to be the last thing on anyone's mind right now.....what with shopping and parties, it's a whirlwind of social appointments!

Rest easy, my friends, as the time for relaxing approaches. Once the big guy in the red suit makes his rounds, you can finally put your feet up and chill with some cocktails and music.

If you're looking for some Music To Wrap Presents By, then you've come to the right place. Our smooth mix of jazz and chill and Christmas tunes is the perfect holiday accompaniment.

On to the chart now, as we are proud to announce Matt Bianco's Heart in Chains as the new number one this week! Nice one, Matt.

The smooth sounds of Five Seasons and Kant Sleep round out the top three for a really chilled triumvirate.

Best of all this week, Stacey Kent's Photograph makes the jump from Bubbling Under, adding a Brazilian song into the chart mix.

As if you need another reason to tune in, the title track from the new release from Velvet Dreamer's album, Different World has been added to the playlist. 

As always, thanks for the support and thanks for tuning in. It is truly appreciated by the artists and myself.

Stay chilled.

1. Matt Bianco -Heart in Chains

2. Five Seasons -Smooth Workout

3. Kant Sleep –Take A Dip (Late Night)

4. Citrus Jam – Do You See (ft. Judith Erb)( Rainbow Mix)

5. Phigroa – Headed Home

6. Charlotte Gainsbourg – Rest

7. .anxious. -Caffeine Crash

8. Naoki Kenji –Floating Minds

9. Stacey Kent – Photograph

10. Bria Skonberg -Dance Me To The End of Love

Bubbling Under

Flughand - Hylla

Cocktail Nation 474 The Best of The Best 2017

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

It's that time of the year again with the new final show of 2017, and we take a look at the best music and product releases of the year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'll see you in 2018 after the holidays! Enjoy the "Twilight" best-of's through the following weeks.

Robert Hamilton (Tiki Torches)

Tiki Torches - Miserlou 

 

Christopher De Groot - Sailing Ships and Tarrot Cards Album

Christopher De Groot - Sailing Ships and Tarrot Cards

James Spencer - Exotica The Cocktail Piano Hour 

James Spencer - Mysterious Jade Temple Of Dakla

Tiki Delights - Swank album 

Tiki Delights with Nicole Witt - Fashionably Late 

Korla Pandit Documentary

Korla - Remember

Laura Ainsworth - New Vintage Album

Laura Ainsworth - An Occasional Man

Out Of Abingdon - Another Story Album

Out Of Abingdon - Change It

Lynn M Zook - Gambling on A Dream 

Brent Laidler - Meet Me At The Havana Hotel (No Matter Where Noir)

James Spencer - Jewels of Jazz

Lyn Stanley - How Insensitive- (Moonlight sessions 2)

The Top Ten - week ending 2 December 2017

Welcome back my fellow loungers!

The final month of the year has begun, and the good news, besides Christmas, is the Winter Solstice is weeks away, marking the beginning of the hours of sunlight growing daily. Something that we all cherish.

Speaking of Christmas, I have kept my promise and thrown the Christmas tunes into the mix beginning yesterday. So tune in and enjoy the seasonal fare.

This week on the Top Ten, we find the sounds of Citrus Jam making it's way to the number one spot. Matt Bianco slides into second, and Five Seasons' chilly sound rises to number three.

This week also sees some new music from Naomi Kenji make the jump from Bubbling Under. We also see some interesting chillhop from a German artist named Flughand. If you've been listening, you would have heard Hylla. Scroll down past the chart for a cool video of another track.

Lastly, I'm humbled to admit it, but with shopping for the season, it's put a little strain on station work, like seeking out some new music for you all. Not to worry, as I will endeavour to grap a minute here and there. We must have our music!

Thanks, as always, for the support of the artists and the station. It is most greatly appreciated. Thanks for dropping some change in the digital tip jar known as Paypal. 

Best of all, thanks for tuning in! Spread the word! Listen at work! Play us in the store where you work!

Enjoy the chill....enjoy the jazz...enjoy the Christmas music....

Stay chilled.

1. Citrus Jam – Do You See (ft. Judith Erb) ( Rainbow Mix)

2. Matt Bianco - Heart in Chains

3. Five Seasons - Smooth Workout

4. Charlotte Gainsbourg – Rest

5. Kant Sleep – Take A Dip (Late Night)

6. Phigroa – Headed Home

7. .anxious. - Caffeine Crash

8. Bria Skonberg - Dance Me To The End of Love

9. Naoki Kenji – Floating Minds

10. Jordana Talsky – You Oughta Know

Bubbling Under

Stacey Kent – Photograph

Flughand - Hylla

Cocktail Nation 473 The Day The Earth Stood Still

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

My neighbour Kramer has another classic film for us. So stand by for another cool classic film to check out for the weekend. 

This week we also check out Lounge Life Magazine with a very cool story from 1966, and in Swank Advice….mens jewellery.

Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited - 35 Falcon Street

Christopher De Groot - Gunshot Cha Cha Cha

Laura Ainsworth - All About You

James Spencer - Ellingtonia

Kris Dale - All Time High

Det Moor and Orchestra - Beatnik

Stan Getz - Summertime

Piero Piccioni - Keep Running

Ixtahuele - Stone Gods Of Bimini

Martini Kings - So Danca Samba

Karen Souza - Creep

Marty Paich - Just In Time

Henry Mancini - Free And Easy

Sarah Mckenzie - One Jealous Moon

Tiki Delights - Sandy Samba

Julie London - Love You

John Barry - Seance On A Wet Afternoon

The Top Ten - week ending 25 November 2017

Welcome to the weekend, everyone!

 Perhaps your just starting your Christmas shopping, or maybe you're almost done. As someone who refuses to play Christmas music on the station until after December 1, I have to admit that I've knocked a few things off my list.

So, beginning next weekend, those cool Yule toons will seep into the playlist, warming the cockles of your heart. Be warned!

As most of us loungers prefer, the beach is usually our happy place. So if your in a northern climate like myself, plan a Caribbean vacation, or just hibernate with some warm drinks and cool music.

Hope all of you in the US enjoyed Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Now you can relax, and listen to some music.

No surprises this week, as Charlotte Gainsbourg remains at the top. Her social media marketing has been promoting Canada and the US, so it has undoubtedly affected your voting. Citrus Jam comes up in second place, with Matt Bianco rounding them out in third.

This week was a rare occasion where none of the songs left the Top Ten, and none moved up from Bubbling Under.

Thanks for all your support. I really appreciate it, as do the artists. Please think of them during this holiday season, and include the sound of music in your gifting.

Enjoy the weekend!

Stay chilled.

1. Charlotte Gainsbourg - Rest

2. Citrus Jam – Do You See (ft. Judith Erb) ( Rainbow Mix)

3. Matt Bianco - Heart in Chains

4. .anxious. - Caffeine Crash

5. Five Seasons - Smooth Workout

6. Bria Skonberg - Dance Me To The End of Love

7. Kant Sleep – Take A Dip (Late Night)

8. Phigroa – Headed Home

9. Jordana Talsky – You Oughta Know

10. Polished Chrome – Dreamland

Bubbling Under

Stacey Kent – Photograph

Naoki Kenji – Floating Minds

Cocktail Nation 472 Jewels of Jazz

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

This week, we look at another book from James Spencer, probably the hardest working man in the lounge scene. I’ve got a Lounge Lotharios Golden Rules of Driving Etiquette, and a look this week at Lounge Life Magazine, plus our World of Swank gig guide.

Richard Myall - Cool Scat

Jet Set SWE - Man From Thrush

June Hutton - You Go To My Head. 

Frank D'Rone - It’s You Or No One

Blanche Black - You’re Driving Me Crazy

Ori Dagan and Sheila Jordan - Straighten Up And Fly Right

Bob Ferrell - Everyday I Have The Blues

Martini Heaven - Tanganova

Billy May - I Gotta Have You

Exotic A Go Go - In The Lounge Of The Tiki King

Sergio Mendez - Mas Que Nada

Clouseaux - Copper Locked Nymph

Stolen Idols - Monkey Mayhem

Narco Lounge Combo - Taboo

Bruno Nicolai - Mission Danger Patrol

Buddy Greco - I’m In Love

The Top Ten - week ending 18 November 2017

Welcome, my fellow loungers!

That chill in the air seems to be getting colder as the days go on. Needless to say, we know how to warm up with the sounds of a little Winter chill. 

Started your Christmas shopping yet? Music makes a great lasting gift, and you have a wonderful choice from the artists below. Something to consider....

We have a new number one this week - the title track from Charlotte Gainsbourg's latest album, Rest. Following close behind at number two, is Matt Bianco's Heart in Chains and Citrus Jam in third.

.anxious. loses its top ranking, slipping into fourth this week, ahead of Bria Skonberg. Lots of movement this week. Thanks to you and your votes. 

Hopping onto the chart this week is a new release from Phigroa. Jumping in at number ten, Headed Home rounds out the list.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Keep those comments coming and your votes at www.thisislounge.com. 

Stay chilled.

1. Charlotte Gainsbourg - Rest

2. Matt Bianco -Heart in Chains

3. Citrus Jam – Do You See (ft. Judith Erb)( Rainbow Mix)

4. .anxious. -Caffeine Crash

5. Bria Skonberg -Dance Me To The End of Love

6. Five Seasons -Smooth Workout

7. Jordana Talsky –You Oughta Know

8. Polished Chrome –Dreamland

9. Kant Sleep – Take A Dip (Late Night)  

10. Phigroa – Headed Home

Bubbling Under

Stacey Kent – Photograph

Naoki Kenji – Floating Minds

Cocktail Nation 471 Libations 101

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

On the menu this week, it’s our drinks man Justin Christaldi with a talk on libations, a gold plated Austin Healey is for sale, and speaking of cars..what’s the story with barn finds!

Alika Lyman Group - Crude

Ixtahuele - Souq

Julie London - Lonely Girl

Diana Krall - Moonglow

Tikiyaki Orchestra - Taboo

Sharps - Caravan

Peter Nero - New York On Sunday

Lisa Ono - How Insensitive

Out Of Abingdon - Prospect Street

Tony Hadley - The Good Life

James Spencer - Columbine

Martin Denny - Martinique

Michelle Nichol - Days Of Wine And Roses

Tiki Joes Ocean - Tiki Joe A Go Go

David Carbonara - Twenty Third Floor

The Top Ten - week ending 11 November 2017

Welcome back to Saturday!

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Too early, you say? Hey, the sooner it gets done, the sooner you can sit back and relax while everyone else is stressed out.

Looking for gift ideas? Music is a perfect gift. Maybe this chart will inspire you. Click on the links to grab your fave. 

This week, sees indie chillhop artist .anxious., rise to the top with his Caffeine Crash. Bria Skonberg slips into number two, with Charlotte Gainsbourg comfortably in third.

Matt Bianco's Heart in Chains jumps into number four. From the latest album, Gravity, this soulful piece is finding its way into many of your hearts.

Kant Sleep slip into the chart this week with something new, bringing more rotation time for itself.

Thanks for listening and spreading the word. We're here 24/7, and as easy as clicking a button.

1. .anxious. - Caffeine Crash

2. Bria Skonberg - Dance Me To The End of Love

3. Charlotte Gainsbourg - Rest

4. Matt Bianco - Heart in Chains

5. Polished Chrome – Dreamland

6. Citrus Jam – Do You See (ft. Judith Erb) ( Rainbow Mix)

7. Christopher Goze - I Will Always Love You

8. Five Seasons - Smooth Workout

9. Jordana Talsky – You Oughta Know

10. Kant Sleep – Take A Dip (Late Night) 

Bubbling Under

Phigroa – Headed Home

Stacey Kent – Photograph

Naoki Kenji – Floating Minds

Cocktail Nation 470 Spyvibe: U.N.C.L.E.

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

One of my favourite TV shows is on the agenda this week. Jason Whiton is stopping by to talk The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (Check out the fan made trailer below.) And speaking of spies, a story on the CIA and Bananas, a new book coming out that is centered around Lady Jazz, plus Swank Advice on throwing parties for yourself.

Sad Salamanders - My Parents are Swingers

Los Shimmy Shakers - No Tell Motel

Hugo Montenegro - The Man From UNCLE

Mel Henke - Little Rock Getaway

The Hi Lo's - Chinatown, My Chinatown

Lyn Stanley - Love Me Or Leave Me

Lalo Schifrin - End Of The Rainbow

Henry Mancini - Mostly For Lovers

Lee Presson And The Nails - Coax Me A Little Bit                              

The SG Sound - I Feel The Earth Move

Naughty Ones - Harlem Nocturne

Nutty - Rhumba With The Deveil

Art Pepper - What Is This Thing Called Love 

Neal Hefti - Cherry Point

Metropole Orchestra - OSS 117 Theme

Nick Perito - Miserlou 

Top Ten - week ending 4 November 2017

Welcome back to the Top Ten, your weekly chart of the top new chillout and jazz releases here at This is Lounge.

First time visitor? Welcome. Thanks for tuning in. If you're not aware, you can vote for your fave Top Ten artist/song at www.thisislounge.com. It's easy and anonymous....and no, you won't be added to a mailing list, having your email inbox inundated with spam.

We're all about the music here. So let's see what this week's chart has brought us.

Canadian jazz singer/horn player, Bria Skonberg, sneaks into the number one position with her chilled out version of Leonard Cohen's classic. Right behind her sees chillhop artist .anxious. in number two and Polished Chrome at number three.

Another Canadian, local Toronto jazz singer,  Jordana Talsky, makes the leap into the official listing this week, landing at number ten with her Alanis Morisette cover. A welcome addition indeed.

As promised last week, lots of new music is making it's way into rotation. If you've been listening regularly, you'll have heard new music from new releases by Stacey Kent, Naoki Kenji, and Phigroa. Stay tuned. More to come.

As always, thanks for all the support and the messages through the website. Your thoughts are most gracious and kind. Glad to know that there are others out there enjoying the station in a world filled with Spotifys and Apple Musics and Mixclouds, and more music than we all have time to listen to. The good thing is that we are not lacking in choices. I try to sample a little bit of everything myself,  to stay in touch. I'm sure that most of you do as well.

Anyway, thanks for tuning in.

Stay chilled.

1. Bria Skonberg -Dance Me To The End of Love

2. .anxious. -Caffeine Crash

3. Polished Chrome- Dreamland

4. Christopher Goze - I Will Always LoveYou

5. Charlotte Gainsbourg - Rest

6. Matt Bianco - Heart in Chains

7. Five Seasons - Smooth Workout

8. Citrus Jam – Do You See (ft. Judith Erb)( Rainbow Mix)

9. Cigarettes After Sex - Each Time YouFall In Love

10. Jordana Talsky – You Oughta Know

Bubbling Under

Kant Sleep – Take A Dip (Late Night)

Phigroa – Headed Home

Stacey Kent – Photograph

Naoki Kenji – Floating Minds

Cocktail Nation 469 - Gambling on a Dream Volume 2

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

                                        This week, the follow up to Lynn M Zook's Gambling on a Dream, plus news on a new supporter of the Cocktail Nation, and we take a look at the potential release of some JFK files. All this plus news on a new Martini Kings album coming out.

Cocktail Angst - Rhumba Of The Saints

Royal Crown Revue - Deadly Night Call

Tony Bennett and Count Basie - Are You Having Any Fun

Blue Hawaiians - Martini 5-0

Nutty - Purple Panther

Bob Thompson - Do It Again

Brent Laidler - Meet Me At The Havana Hilton

Art Pepper - Webb City                                    

Martini Kings - Nylon Jungle

Acca Daiquiris - Cocaine

Les Baxter - Bustin The Bongos

Don Tiki - Other Side Of The Moon