- Four fresh cuts reflecting the sounds of Detroit's underground.
- Friends & Mentors is a compilation EP that reflects the various sounds of Detroit's electronic music landscape. Thomas Xu's label, Steady Flight Circle, follows in the tradition of Theo Parrish's Sound Signature in its non-adherence to genres.
"Get Out Of There," from local favorite Terri Whodat, is the record's most straightforward DJ track. A blown-out kick keeps the beat in rigid 4/4 as the other elements slowly come into play. The mix-down is heavily focused on low-end elements, with a long buildup before an abrupt piano riff brings some change. Poseidon Neptune presents an entirely different affair with the electro-influenced "Saht Nam." Throwing out any semblance of a simple four-to-the-floor, this is a futuristic percussion piece one cannot help but compare to the Drexciyan / UR strain of true-school techno.
Meftah's "Ur Utility" gives us a perfect slice of Detroit beatdown. Live drum samples and a thick bassline create a free-jazz feel that's enhanced by the tasteful use of airy keys. The closing track, "9th Creation (Short Mix)" is by John Silas with East Coast mainstay John Barera on bass. Hand percussion, a jazzy chord progression and live bass give the song a funky groove that stands out from the others.
TracklistA1 Terri Whodat - Get Out Of There
A2 Poseidon Neptune - Saht Nam
B1 Meftah - Ur Utility
B2 John Silas - 9th Creation (Short Mix)