D3 Elements レコード& CD

Review: D3 Recordings offshoot D3 Elements is only three releases deep, but already their releases are reaching "must check" status. Following their recent release of a superb EP from US deep house veteran Brian Harden, the Paris-based imprint offers up something a little different - an EP of gorgeously deep and melodic flavours that joins the dots between head-nodding instrumental hip-hop and floor-friendly 4/4 fare. There are plenty of surprises, too, including techno stalwart Terrence Parker delivering a flute-heavy downtempo head-nodder, some gorgeous beatdown from Detroiter Mike Clark, and a thrillingly string-laden chunk of deep house bliss from the aforementioned Harden. Recommended.

Review: From Moods & Grooves to Sistrum, Brian Harden has served up more than enough soulful, synth-led house and techno in his time. It's just the kind of style that suits the mood on D3, and so the label has picked up his essential "Chicago To Detroit" jam and called upon a fine selection of remixers to rework the track. First up is Byron The Aquarius, who drops some expressive broken beat drums into the mix to spar with the illustrious melodic tones to great effect. Meanwhile the label boss Brian gets busy with a classic, straight-up adaptation on his "Chicago Sur Seine Mix" before Patrice Scott opts for an energised variation with poignant new Rhodes-esque keys floating on top.

Review: Considered French label D3 Elements continues is carefully curated run with a new EP from Berlin based Italians, Hinode. Featuring four cuts of tough deep house, this sixth EP is another high grade affair that follows on from great efforts by Strong Souls and Brian Harden.

Hinode are Matteo Chisari & Mario Resta, a pair of accomplished DJs and producers that release on and run their own Science Fiction Recordings as well as 0Helena0. They have been active since 2013 and their robust sound has found favour with real heads and underground DJs alike.

Opener 'State to State' is a raw, punchy house track with jazzy chords injecting some real soul into the physical beats. Rasping synths and rainy melodies have a hint of the old school about them and ensure that dance floors will be in raptures. 'Endless World' is more spacious, with a drunken acid sounding bassline roaming beneath a nicely mechanical groove. It's one to make you stomp, and so is b-side opener 'Shades of Grey' with its bombastic, kicking drums, twinkling melodies and lazy chords. Despite being a sweat inducing house banger, plenty of warmth and musicality remains. Lastly, 'Memory Alpha' hurries along with muddled voices, icy hi hats and a flurry of rubbery kicks and squelchy acid stabs. It's beautifully authentic house music that takes subtle cues from the best of Chicago and Detroit and puts a unique Hinode spin on things.

Review: French label D3 Elements returns to Chicago for its next EP, this time looking to the assured house talents of Hakim Murphy for three tracks of raw, dense grooves right from the heart of the Windy City. Opener 'Boxbeat' is a curious, freaky jam with bobbing percussive hits, wonky, pixel thin synth lines and free roaming pads that wrap the whole thing in a nice sense of spaced-out serenity. 'Taste o'Rainbow' has a much more firmly planted kick drum that pounds away uninterrupted below a free flowing brew of modulate synth sounds. It's expertly reduced and masterfully reserved and is sure to send dance floors wild as a result. The flipside cut 'Freshness' has pinging drums and a big, frazzled bass line as slithering chords rain down the face. Musical yet jacking, cosmic yet propulsive, it is a perfectly contemporary Chicago house sound that rounds out a fine EP from one of the best in the game.

Review: A second release on D3 Elements for Raymond "RayDilla" Funnye aka Strong Souls, the man who kicked off the Detroit & Chicago focused label last year. Opener "In The Groove" has a loose and louche late night jazz vibe to its glowing chords and jumbled beats, whilst "Deep Sensation" is a sumptuous go slow delight with kick drums miles apart and golden chords and meandering synths draped over the top. On the flip, "From The Pyramids To The Stars" is an insular affair that pulls you right in; drums tumble with a tiny tribal tinge, pads are long tailed and the percussion is well defined, metallic and gently caresses your ears. Closer "Industrial Life" is the most dancefloor of the lot, with firm house kicks, a rugged bassline and beautifully designed little hooks dangling in mid air above.