Now really picking up steam after well received first releases from Strong Souls and Brian Harden, the D3 Elements label offers up its first Various Artist EP calling upon the services of legendary house producers Mike Clark, Zhao-Ski, Terrence Parker, Sean Deason and Brian Harden. What's more, all benefits form this EP will go to a Children's Charity association in Detroit as a mark of respect for the music the city has given us. Up first is Mike Clark, the founder of Strictly Beatdown and a pioneer of the Beatdown sound who has released on Planet E, Underground Resistance and Nite Grooves. He offers 'Nu Day', which has hiccupping toms scattered over a dumpy kick drum as icy hi hats race across the top of the arrangement. It's musical, percussive deep house at its finest, especially one the downbeat bassline and rippling melodies enter the fray. Next is Rafel Pouncy aka Zhao-Ski, a little known producer tied to Black Operation Records. His slo-mo beat jam 'Ova' is perfectly lazy and hazy, with trilling melodies buried deep below perfectly executed drum funk. One for hot summer days, it is seriously feel-good. Last on the A-side, Terrence Parker needs little introduction - he is the supremely talented DJ and producer from Detroit who has released a stream of classic EPs and LPs on labels like Planet E, Studio K7! And his own ParkerMuiscWorks. His track is typically soulful and uplifting, with manic drum breaks underpinning euphoric piano chords and mad flute sounds. It's a half time bomb that breaks all the rules. Taking up the B1 is Brian Harden, the Chicago producer who has released on Moods & Grooves and Nite Life Collective since the nineties. His driving deep house track is coloured with gentle and emotive piano lines, futuristic synth patterns and plenty of string infused soul. Finally, Sean Deason is part of the third wave of techno producers from Detroit who runs his own Matrix Records label. His track is another propulsive offering with rubbery kicks, lively percussion and big synth smears that glow like stars above a spangled, elastic bassline.