Ski Oakenfull - Life Changes (2000)

Delving into atmospheric grooves of acid jazz, Dominic "Ski" Oakenfull shapes new millennium electronica, bringing back to life one of club/dance's most trendy circuits dating back to the early '90s. Life Changes is an honest testimony, and an interesting and brash debut illustrating such a craft. Oakenfull experiments with jazz-funk this time around, vibes similar to early Brand New Heavies material and Gilles Peterson aesthetics. "Fifths" is the album standout complete with transcending breakbeats energizing old-school hip-hop stylings. It's naturally steadfast in structure, whereas "Running Thru My Mind" and "Keep on Moving" are more spirited with its offline robotics, '70s synth-powered ambience spiraling into two outstanding rabid dance tracks. Oakenfull, however, remains clued into the overall kaleidoscopic loops throughout this album, never ignoring the smooth reel of it all. Peterson's main MC, Earl Zinger's rippling rap hooks capture the intensity on "Soul Vibration" in a stylish manner, indicating Oakenfull's love for the calamity of jazz music, the freshness of it, and the exciting new ways he's been able to mix things up. Life Changes is an ideal look in order to be exposed to the artist's work; an abrasive, yet decent listen to one of electronica's many new millennium connoisseurs.