Greg "The Egyptian Lover" Broussard started out as a DJ with Uncle Jamm's Army. The recording of some music for a film convinces the young man to also record his own solo album, although he doesn't feel that he has the lyrical skills nor those of a producer, being only a DJ. Egyptian Lover builds an album of eight tracks and just under forty minutes, stealing a bit from everyone here and there, including George Clinton, Prince, Afrika Bambaataa, Kraftwerk and Run-DMC. "Egypt, Egypt" itself is the daughter of "Planet Rock", even if practically the whole album is to be related to that of Bambaataa. The ballad "I Cry (Night After Night)" is inspired by a song by Dean Martin.
As with most electro albums, the production plays a bigger role at the expense of forgettable lyricism. The electro-funk music chosen by the author is solid, synthesizer-heavy, dance-influenced and commercial pop-oriented, the lyrics are cheesy and ridiculous, and his rapping is elementary and monotonous. That makes these numerous sexual jams sometimes funny, other times objectionable with their annoying moans, if not excessive, which is more evident during the seven minutes of "Girls" than in other tracks. "Egypt, Egypt", "And My Beat Goes Boom" and "What is a DJ If He Can't Scratch" are some of his best productions.
Released by his own label Egyptian Empire Records and distributed by Macola Records, the album is promoted by the single "Egypt, Egypt", a hit that drags the whole project into both the Billboard Top Pop and rnb charts, remaining in the charts for over two months. Among the first West Coast albums, Egyptian Lover brings out a vicious project composed of minimal electro-funky rhythms influenced by dance and braggadocio lyrics, with synth lines that play the part of the vulture, flying over the tracks waiting for the right moment. The record possesses much more historical value than content. Electro fans will definitely enjoy it. 7/10.
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