Marc Roberts lands on UK label Moton with a soul-searing selection of edits

Bali-based Marc Roberts shows up on long-running London label Moton Records with an exquisite selection of re-rubs, on the descriptively-titled 'Marc Roberts Edits' EP.

Roberts is a well-known figure on the south-east Asian underground, having organised world-class events under his FMLY brand, and more recently as the label boss of the burgeoning Pantai People imprint. Add to this his decades-long experience behind the turntables, and it's of little surprise that his latest offering brims with Balearic-fuelled class.

His arrival on Moton represents a laudable rung on his musical ladder, seeing his work set alongside meta-disco royalty like DJ Harvey, The Idjut Boys and Red Greg on the label's roster. Set up back in 1996 by Dave Jarvis alongside X-Press 2's Diesel, Moton have now released an impressive 46 titles on wax – no mean feat in the ultra-precarious independent label landscape. The EP opens with soul-flecked leviathan ' King Of Nice Days', where rousing vocal leads meet upbeat carnival vivacity for an infectious dancefloor workout. Next, the yacht-rock silk of 'Uno' is primed for lazy, oceanside sundowns, with shimmering marimbas dancing over emotive pads and heartfelt vocal bursts. On the flip, Roberts transports us deep into a humid Brazilian haze. First, 'Maia Amor' sees stirring strings combine with propulsive disco drums, before 'Star Max' sees the EP out in style with its infectious vocals, honeyed melodies, and cultured chord progressions.

This is fine work from Roberts, expertly continuing the compelling work he's previously delivered via Pantai People's unmissable 'Echo Beach Edits' series.

'Marc Roberts Edits' is out now on Molton Records, you can buy it here

Patrizio Cavaliere is Mixmag Asia's Music Editor. Follow his Cosmic Tiger blog here