Proto Exotica is a new record label, launched by the Naarm-based collective who run parties under the same name. The imprint’s inaugural release is a 6-track EP that collects music created by their favourite artists from around the Asia Pacific region. Curated with a great deal of care there’s a lot of interest for those of a mellow modern Balearic bent here. 

Singapore’s Bongomann contributes the super chilled Gazey. A moment of mystical murmurings, whistling winds and chimes set to a slow shuffle. Suitable for sunset, or the first stirrings the morning after. Its fractal frequencies spinning, spiralling, recalling, a little, Irresistible Force’s classic remix of Coldcut’s Autumn Leaves. 

The Bali-based duo Gold Suite bring some synth-y, slinky, bold B-lined boogie that also boasts cool, clipped jazz guitar licks. A proper song, sweetly sighed Other Side is all about “searching for a vibe of a different kind.” 

The mysterious Max Hammur edits something called Orient Express, which – with its slapped bass, Kenny G-esque sax and incredibly fancy keys – sounds like a lost `80s TV cop show theme, and a forgotten gem. 

Osaka’s master of the dig and the edit, Mori Ra offers up a piece of polished Japanese city pop / fusion. His No Bikini Girls is Haruomi Hosono-flavoured, electronically-assisted exotica. Carefully crooned and riffing, a touch, melodically on Roy Ayers’ Everybody Loves The Sunshine. 

Sonder Plain’s You Are Your Experience is trippy, treated squelchy R&B. An aural whirlpool, jacuzzi or bubblebath of floaty vocals and shimmering cymbals where each delayed detail overlaps with the last. 

Seoul’s Tucan Discos then take a late 80s soul obscurity – originally edited by the legendary Omar Santana – and re-arrange it. Further chopping and changing One Way Lover’s collage of scratches, sampled booty calls and block rocking old school hip hop breaks. Chuck D and Flavor Flav throw in the odd shout. 

Poolside Pearlers can be ordered directly from Proto Exotica.