A member of New York's Liquid Sky family, DJ Wally began taking trip-hop into new directions with three EPs recorded for his own label, Sams Jointz. The tracks contained an astounding variety of sounds, encompassing ambient, funk, jungle, plus a solid exercise in '70s nostalgia -- a reworking of Simon & Garfunkel's classic "Feelin' Groovy." Mo'Wax founder James Lavelle liked what he heard, and licensed one track for his 1996 trip-hop compilation, Headz II, a roll call for all the best artists in the new electronica. Early the following year, DJ Wally released his debut album, Genetic Flaw, for Liquid Sky's Home Entertainment subsidiary. Paired with DJ Swingsett, Wally released Dog Leg Left later that year. The Stoned Ranger Rides Again followed in 1999. ~ John Bush