Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers ~ Egyptian Reggae (Rock 'N' Roll with The Modern Lovers)

🎵 Overview of “Egyptian Reggae”
Released in 1977 as part of the album Rock ’n’ Roll with The Modern Lovers.
It became one of Jonathan Richman’s most recognizable tracks — an instrumental that blends a reggae pulse with a vaguely “Middle Eastern” melodic line.
The song has a light, whimsical feel, very much in Richman’s style during his late‑70s Beserkley Records era.
It even charted in Europe and became a surprise hit.

✍️ Who wrote it?
According to Discogs, the track is credited to Jonathan Richman as the songwriter.
However — and this is interesting — the melody is heavily inspired by (and often considered an adaptation of) “Satta Massagana” by the Abyssinians, a classic roots reggae tune. Richman reworked it into his own playful instrumental style. Also attributed to Earl Zero.

🎸 Who played on it? (Band Members)
The album Rock ’n’ Roll with The Modern Lovers features the late‑70s lineup of The Modern Lovers, which was very different from the original proto‑punk lineup.

While the search results didn’t list the personnel directly, the known lineup for this era — the one associated with the Beserkley years and this album — is:
Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers (circa 1977 lineup)
Jonathan Richman – vocals, guitar, songwriter
Leroy Radcliffe – guitar
Greg ‘Curly’ Keranen – bass
D. Sharpe – drums

This is the band most commonly credited with the recordings on Rock ’n’ Roll with The Modern Lovers.

📀 Additional Notes
The Discogs entry confirms the production credits:
Matthew King Kaufman – producer
Glen Kolotkin – producer
BilBo – lacquer cutting engineer

The track is instrumental, which made it stand out in Richman’s catalogue — most of his songs are lyrically driven.

🌟 Why the song matters
It’s a perfect example of Jonathan Richman’s ability to take something simple, global, and joyful, and turn it into a charming, unforgettable groove. It also reflects his shift away from the raw proto‑punk sound of the early Modern Lovers toward a more innocent, playful, almost childlike musical world.

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