Pete Herbert summons southeast Asian spirit on his new 'Far Flung' EP

Venerated UK disco don Pete Herbert makes a long-awaited return to solo release action with the six-track 'Far Flung EP'.

Arriving on the Music For Swimming Pools label he launched in 2017, the expansive collection features four original compositions alongside remixes from Bali resident, Gold Suite, and off-kilter Balearic maestro, In Flagranti.

It's no coincidence that a decidedly tropical thread courses through the sumptuously spun collection, with Pete serving as Music Director for Bali's benchmark beach club, Potato Head, for a number of years, pre-pandemic. Supremely well-versed in the art of crafting atmospheric sundown soundtracks, it's abundantly clear that his time spent on the Island of Gods continues to permeate his laser-tight productions. The title-track fizzes with Italo-house swagger as life-affirming piano stabs drive the peak-time groove, while the throbbing funk continues into the squelching bass and organic synths of 'Dear Hector'. A few shades deeper, the wildly atmospheric strut of 'Early One Evening' sees growling bass propel glistening chords and evocative synth riffs before the shimmering waterside warmth of 'South Seas' gently ushers the listener into palm-lined bliss.

Turning to the remixes, rising star Gold Suite gorgeously re-imagines 'Far Flung' as a soul-searing sunset meditation, with celestial instrumentation and intuitive over-dubs cutting to the very core as the heartfelt music elegantly unfurls. Aberrant production duo In Flagranti take on the same track, retaining the club-ready intention of the original while adding a distinct anti-gloss to prime the music for saucer-eyed floors.

A joyous package from start to finish, and one that lovers of all shades of Balearic disco are sure to garner abundant pleasure from.

Pete Herbert 'Far Flung' is out July 22 on Music For Swimming Pools. You can buy it here

Patrizio Cavaliere is Mixmag Asia's Music Editor. Follow him on Instagram