Ski Oakenfull

English DJ Dominic "Ski" Oakenfull launched his distinctive "dozing jazz" sound during the early '90s, aligning with the acid-jazz wave that followed Gilles Peterson's influential period. Previously recording under the name the K-Creative, he joined Peterson's Talkin' Loud imprint while still attending high school. A short-lived association with Raw Stylus preceded deeper immersion in house music, which included contributions to the 1988 debut album 4 by fellow Talkin' Loud act Galliano. Throughout the remainder of the decade Oakenfull collaborated with multiple singer-songwriters such as Valerie Etienne and issued assorted side efforts, among them the compilation Sun Sun. In 1999 he redirected his efforts exclusively toward completing his first full-length project, Life Changes.