Pacific covers by Cruisic for RSD Japan 2022

[markus]

So it turns out there is another 808-related RSD release. A Japanese cover version tribute to Pacific has surfaced on Japanese Record Store Day 2022:

Cruisic – Pacific-707
Label: Flower Records – FLRS145
Format: Vinyl, 7", Single, Limited Edition (500)
Released: 23 Apr 2022
A Pacific-707
B Pacific-707 (4Beat Club Version)

Bandcamp link
Discogs link
Cruisic website link
RSD Japan release page link

Pacific

"Last year Cruisic released their 3rd 7 inch analog single “Floating / Lady Dahlia” which gained acclaim from domestic and European club music scene. During the release, Cruisic was recording their cover of Manchester legend 808 State’s timeless masterpiece “Pacific”. Original track hugely influenced the ambient house scene since 1989, Cruisic’s cover of “Pacific” will be seeing its release on Record Store Day 2022 April 23rd. While featuring bird chirpings as the original track, Cruisic rearranged the song into a Balearic sound and groove with electronica and acoustic drums combined. B-side “4Beat Club Version” is a swing jazz version featuring a running contrabass as the groove setter. Paying homage to the original 7 inch single, Cruisic’s release will be named “Pacific 707”

Produced by Cruisic & Eitetsu Takamiya / Drums & Percussion by Ryusuke Kakizawa / Programming Synths by Yukinari Iwata / Keyboards by Yuko Ichizuka / Guitar by Tetsuro Shibayama / Sax by Yath (ONEGRAM) / Drum Tuning by Yuko Uchida / Drums Recorded by Ryota Hayashida @ irohastudio / Percussion Recorded by Ryuji Seto / Mixed and Mastered by Eitetsu Takamiya @ Flower Sound Studio Tokyo / Art Work by Kitetsu Takamiya (67531Graphics)"

Pacific

Jazz Carnival、Inspector Norse、Floatingと、リリースを重ねてきたCruisic。今回は’89の大傑作、808 StateのPacificを、悶絶バレアリック・カバー!B-Sideにはジャジーにスウィングするセルフ・リミックスを収録。

前作”Floating”そして”Lady Dahlia”を収録した7インチ・アナログが、国内はもとより欧州を中心に海外でも高い評価を得たCruisic。実はその時すでにレコーディングしていた本楽曲を、いよいよ2022RSDにてリリースする運びとなりました。今回は80年代末期のマンチェスターで結成された伝説の808 Stateの代表曲として、更にはアンビエント・ハウス・シーンにも大きな影響を与え、今もなお色褪せない魅力を放つ大名曲、”Pacific”のカバーです。原曲に散りばめられた鳥の囀りをも再現しつつも、より現代の感覚にフィットするバレアリックなテンポ感とサウンドで展開し、Cruisicならではの生ドラムとシーケンスの融合により完成されたCruisic版”Pacific”です。B-Sideには4ビートにウッドベースで展開した新感覚の”4Beat Club Version”を収録。本家が7インチ・リリースの際に命名したタイトル”Pacific-707″をも踏襲してのリリースです。初回完全限定盤。

[graham]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUDEMAVO7zg

Another Japanese cover of Pacific - This time in a reggae style !

[markus]

Jazz Room Records has issued one of the Pacific versions by Cruisic on a split 7". Out now.
From discogs.com :

Title: Cruisic – Jazz Carnival/Pacific 707
Label: Jazz Room Records – JAZZR 021
Barcode: 5050580791350
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 30 Sep 2022 [digital]
Release date: 18 Nov 2022 [vinyl]
Tracklisting:
A: Jazz Carnival 4:38
B: Pacific 707 4:48

Double header from Jazz Room Records with two superb jazzy versions of Club Classics by Japan's Cruisic:
Side A is the legendary Brazilian Club Jazz track by Azymuth given a cosmic keyboard revitalisation.
The Flip is a Jazz Dance version of the 1989 release "Pacific" by Manchester Acid House ravers 808 State. Watch the dancefloor fill from the first jazzbeat!

[markus]

Order from, amongst others:

Bandcamp.com
Juno.co.uk

Juno's review:
"Since debuting in 2018 with a tremendous cover version of Todd Terje nu-disco fave 'Inspector Norse', Japanese duo Cruisic have proved particularly adept at delivering dancefloor flavoured jazz and jazz-funk takes on classic cuts. Jazz Room boss Paul Murphy has spotted this and has decided to offer-up a double A-side featuring two of his favourites from their slim but impressive catalogue. On the A-side you'll find their 2019 version of Azymuth's 'Jazz Carnival', a breezy, gently pitched down, sun-splashed take that turns it from a high-octane thriller into a carnival-ready jazz-funk shuffler. Turn to the flip for the pair's arguably even better cover of 808 State's 'Pacfific 707', which they successfully re-imagine as a head-nodding Balearic jazz-funk gem. In a word: essential!"

[markus]

Pacific 707 will now also feature on Cruisic's LP 'Euphoria, release date 3 November 2024:
https://flower-r.com/cruisic-euphoria/

[markus]

Streaming versions of Pacific:
https://ssm.lnk.to/Pacific707

[markus]

Pacific 707 will now also feature on Cruisic's LP 'Euphoria, release date 3 November 2024:
https://flower-r.com/cruisic-euphoria/

The album features a different version of Pacific than previously released on the single.
Stream
Bandcamp

"The record has arrived!It’s always exciting when new records come in!
It’ll be available in-store on November 3rd, so I’d be delighted if you could check it out.I think it’s a great album! Thank you very much for your support!

https://lnk.fuga.com/cruisic_euphoria

Here is the track commentary."

”Pacific -Full Length Version-”

This cover of 808 State’s iconic track has become a crucial piece for Cruisic, enhancing our chances for a European release. It began with a recommendation from my mentor, Takamiya-san at Flower Records. I remember crafting the first demo in a hotel room with just my laptop and Ableton Push. Though the melody is simple, the chords were initially confusing—a unique progression that goes beyond typical changes. With just four chords, it took time to capture the essence, and talking with Kakizawa-san, we noted that 808 State seemed to have transcended musical theory, making us realize that true masterpieces often defy conventional boundaries.

Synthesizers and synth bass felt essential, giving me a chance to fully apply my Ableton skills. I added more sound layers and effects than ever before, using arpeggiators heavily, which even caused my 2015 Mac Pro to struggle with the load. The recording process involved close work with Kakizawa-san and drum tech Uchida-san to perfect the drum sounds, aiming for a “tight but dynamic” feel. Guitarist Shibayama-san and saxophonist Onegram Yath-san added beautiful touches, including a delicate soprano line that exceeded my original expectations.

Near the end of production, we added a jazz-style “4beat club version,” with bassist Suzuki-san and engineer Seto-san contributing to complete this alternate take. Our album cover, created by Kitetsu Takamiya, pays homage to 808 State’s iconic waves, inspired by Hokusai. This track resonated widely, gaining radio play on J-Wave Tokyo, Tokyo FM’s “DJ MURO KING OF DIGGIN’,” and UK DJ interest on stations like World Wide FM. Legendary DJ Paul Murphy released it alongside “Jazz Carnival,” which sold out immediately, and it was chosen for “Special Best of 2022 Bandcamp Weekly Shows.”