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The Egyptian Intro is an interlude performed live by The NPG during the Act I and Act II tours while Prince was offstage. A slightly revised version was played during the The Ultimate Live Experience Tour and other shows in 1995 and 1996. It was played as an intro for 7 during these tours. The Egyptian Intro is an Oriental-flavoured instrumental during which Mayte performed her sword dance (entirely different from The Arabic Intro that was played on the Diamonds And Pearls Tour) with percussive drums, guitar parts lifted from 7 and ululations. A sample of Around The World In A Day was added at the beginning of this interlude for the Act II tour. The name of this interlude was revealed by Sonny T. in an interview.
The percussive drums are actually lifted from the track Amazing Arabs included on Polestar Magnetics’ The X-Static Goldmine samples and sound effects compilation released in 1991. Since the track was played over the speakers during the shows, it is safe to assume that a studio recording was made, at the latest during rehearsals before the first date of the Act I tour.
The Egyptian Intro was revised and shortened from 4 to 2 minutes for the The Ultimate Live Experience Tour and Japan '96 shows with a different beat but keeping the same basic elements (percussive drums, guitar parts lifted from 7, ululations and sample from Around The World In A Day) with Prince playing guitar onstage.
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