Flower Records continue their cracking series of genre crossing / flipping covers. Following fantastic, now highly coveted, versions of tunes such as Frankie Knuckles’ Whistle Song, 808 State’s Pacific State, and Kraftwerk’s Trans Europe Express, Cruisic tackle Kings Of Tomorrow’s turn-of-the-millennium house anthem Finally. A collaboration between Sandy Rivera, Jay “Sinister” Sealee, and Julie McKnight, the song was first released in 2001. It’s since picked up countless remixes. The Danny Krivit and Steve Travolta edit, for me, though was the one. Expertly extended into around 9 minutes, that build and build, this really, really worked because – since it was huge, rinsed, ubiquitous – everyone knew what was coming… A great, gargantuan sing along gospel that sang of redemption through god and / or love depending on your belief system. At its heart Finally is yet another call, cry for social change. “I hope I’m in a better place when here and now crumbles and falls… ”

Twenty-three years ago, Finally was playing in my headphones as I rushed across London, from work to the hospital where my wife was giving birth. As a consequence its lyrics have taken on personal significance, and additional weight. “You don’t know what I’ve been through… ”,  is a reminder that my kids were my salvation. They “finally” gave me a reason to clean up my act. I couldn’t do it for me, but I tried to do it for them. “You who make worlds collide… ” When they were tiny, totally dependent, they had this power. Then “I can dream for us all.” As a parent it became even more important to dream, and to do so out loud. To talk of ambitions, desires, and far fetched schemes. Even if age and disappointment may have jaded and faded those grand plans. Pushed them closer toward the impossible. It was, it is, essential to encourage my children to have, and believe in, dreams of their own. When they come to visit me in the middle of nowhere I still talk of barmy business enterprises, best selling novels, film rights, and travelling the globe.

Cruisic’s cut is a chilled, lounge, sunset / sunrise reprise of the emotional K.O.T. big room smash. Opening with the instantly recognisable b-line, its cascading keys, chimes, and fidgeting, flickering synths, then shuffle, gently shimmy, to breezy brushed jazz syncopation. Musically it’s not a million miles away, very close in fact, to Dr. Rockit’s classic Cafe De Flore. The mood mellow, but suitably celebratory. Topped with a soaring Moog-y solo. Exploding, not like noisy New Year fireworks, but more quietly, like happy, wedding confetti.

Cruisic’s Finally is out now on Flower Records.