Night Boat to Cairo [Single]

• Artist: Madness
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1993
• Type: Single
• Genre: Rock

Review

"Night Boat to Cairo" is one of several CD singles released by Virgin Records in support of the 1992 greatest hits compilation Divine Madness. In addition to the original version of the Egyptian-flavored ska tune -- one of the most innovative songs from the band's early ska-heavy recordings -- it features four 1993 remixes by master engineers Paul Gotel and the Well Hung Parliament. Gotel does an impressive job of turning a bouncy ska song from 1979 into a credible '90s dance club number by replacing Madness drummer Daniel Woodgate with uptempo programming. He also embellishes the song with synthesized Middle Eastern wailing. It's a pretty compelling re-imagining. But there is very little variety between the four mixes and, as often happens with singles that contain several dance edits, it gets old fast. The most listener-friendly mix is the "Paul Gotel Rude Edit," which gives you a nice summary of Gotel's concept in just under four minutes. If you're planning to DJ an event, however, you will probably want the eight-minute "Paul Gotel Rude Mix" or the Suggs-less "Paul Gotel Rude Instrumental." The latter is also available in the slightly shorter fourth track, "Well Hung Parliament Dub Edit." ~ Evan Cater, All Music Guide