Criminally underrated album. Ski Oakenfull's LIFE CHANGES is a strong example of how jazz, house and techno can be blended successfully. "Fifths," with its seemingly simple structure, quickly establishes a funky future jazz groove, while "Running Thru My Mind" and "Where Did the Love Go?" lets us know that some house will be the main flavor of the day. "Serotonin" punches the drum beats, but in service of the guitar stabs. "Come With Me" and "Drop It" edge into deep terrority. And while the lyrics on "Undercover" and "Soul Vibration" might be weak, the contributions by Rose Smith quickly overshadow those flaws. The quiet beauty of "Life Changes" gathers power as it layers the instruments (a quiet piano, some plaintative horns, the subdued rhythm) with Smith's contemplative lyrics. And "Keep On Moving" contrasts this by putting the lyrics to use in fine house form. While the album isn't groundbreaking in any way, as an album of dance music, it deserves a second chance. Life does change, after all.