| Egypt | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Youssou N'Dour | ||||
| Released | June 8, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | Dakar, Senegal andCairo, Egypt | |||
| Studio | Studio Xippi (Dakar), Hany Mihanna Studio (Cairo), Mix Studio (Cairo) | |||
| Genre | World | |||
| Length | 41:10 | |||
| Language | Wolof | |||
| Label | Nonesuch Records | |||
| Producer | Youssou N'Dour,Fathy Salama | |||
| Youssou N'Dour chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Robert Christgau | A[2] |
| The Guardian | [3] |
Egypt is aGrammy Award-winning album by theSenegalese musicianYoussou N'Dour, on which he is accompanied by theEgyptianFathy Salama Orchestra. By incorporating Arabic influences and focusing on Muslim religious themes, the album was a departure from previous N'Dour releases.[2] In the original Senegalese release, it was namedSant Allah (Thanks to God).
The album was largely recorded in 1999 inDakar, Senegal, and was originally slated for release as early as 2001, but was delayed until 2004 to avoid any association with theSeptember 11 attacks.[4][5] Additional overdubs ofoud and traditional orchestra were done inCairo, Egypt, where N'Dour's quartet was joined by theFathy Salama Orchestra for most songs.[6][1]
On this album, N'Dour combines bothWest African andNorth African musical influences. The record uses instruments from both regions, such as the West Africankora and the Arab oud.
The lyrics are in praise ofMourideSufism, aSenegalese order of Islam to which N'Dour belongs. The songs are sung inWolof, with the last song incorporating more French loanwords than the rest of the album,[7] and are mostly dedicated tomarabouts of theMuslim brotherhoods of Senegal, such asAmadou Bamba, the founder of the Mouride brotherhood.[6][8]
The album is named as a tribute to Egyptian singerUmm Kulthum, who was a favorite of N'Dour's father and influenced N'Dour as a child.[4]
Egypt was a critical success among Western music critics, who appreciated its bridging of cultures and authentic religious commitment. Writing forThe Observer, Charlie Gillett called this a "devotional album" and "one of Youssou's best-ever records", praising its "honed precision and focused concentration".[6]
Writing for theBBC, Jon Lusk warned that some fans of N'Dour may not appreciate the departure from his previous upbeat and rhythmic music, but called the album "a breath of fresh air", because "the consistency of tone and mood --generally one of reverent but restrained ecstasy -- is very welcome."[9]
Robert Christgau wrote that the musical fusion onEgypt is "smarter, lovelier, and more seductive" than N'Dour's previous work, and that the singing is characterized by "sweetness, precision, and delicacy". Referring to the efforts the album makes to positively represent African Islam during the period after theSeptember 11 attacks, Christgau wrote that "Egypt is more than just beautiful -- it's a persuasive political act".[2]
AllMusic's Thom Jurek called it a "startling" album, saying that:
Unlike his previous recordings, the organic and sacred character of this music seems to stand outside of time and space; it wails and warbles, croons and groans. It is the music of joy and reverence and, as it bridges the various aspects of Islamic cultural traditions, one hopes it can create, via the sheer beauty of its sound and the translation of its lyrics, a portrait of a world that is far different from the one portrayed by Western media constructs.[1]
AlthoughEgypt was received positively by Western audiences, its release was controversial in Africa and Muslim societies. Media in N'Dour's native Senegal argued that it was inappropriate to bring Islam into popular music, and that by associating the two, the album is insulting to the religion. This resulted in a two-year boycott of the album in Senegal, with stores returning copies and radio stations not playing the music. The album was also banned in Egypt.[10]
This negative reaction impacted N'Dour personally, who was shunned during a religious pilgrimage to the holy city ofTouba, and was threatened with a lawsuit by members of theMouride brotherhood. Speaking about this controversy in his native culture, N'Dour toldReuters, "I was frustrated. The music wasn't speaking to people...When there's a break with tradition, or something changes, people can't accept it right away. It takes a little more time."[4]
Egypt is the primary focus of 2008 documentary filmYoussou N’Dour: I Bring What I Love, directed byElizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. The film explores the cultural controversy surrounding the album's recording and release.[11]
Egypt won the 2004Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary World Music Album", earning N'Dour his only Grammy Award.[4][12] At theBBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music, the album won the Critics Award for album of the year.[13][14]
N'Dour also won aMOBO award in 2005 for "Best African Act".[15][16]
Robert Christgau named it his 18th favorite album of the decade in 2009[17]
All tracks by Youssou N'Dour.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Allah" | 6:12 |
| 2. | "Shukran Bamba" | 5:32 |
| 3. | "Mahdiyu Laye" | 4:59 |
| 4. | "Tijaniyya" | 5:47 |
| 5. | "Baay Niasse" | 5:20 |
| 6. | "Bamba the Poet" | 3:53 |
| 7. | "Cheikh Ibra Fall" | 3:38 |
| 8. | "Touba - Daru Salaam" | 5:49 |
| Total length: | 41:10 | |
| Chart (2004) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[18] | 57 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[19] | 70 |
| Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[20] | 100 |
| Dutch Alternative Albums (MegaCharts)[20] | 16 |
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[21] | 35 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[22] | 34 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] | 81 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[24] | 148 |
| US World Albums (Billboard)[25] | 6 |
