Friday, December 27, 2024

Focus on: Dendang Irama - A Pop Yeh Yeh band from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Written By Ghaz (KL, Malaysia, Dec 12, 2024)

As we have been made aware, most Pop Yeh Yeh musicians that had their hits topping the charts came from the Republic of Singapore (or the province of Singapore when it was a part of Malaysia before its independence in 1965). However, the neighboring country, Malaysia, had also an abundance of bands performing both on records and in films too, although at many times, their presence had not received the same level highlights as their Singaporean counterparts in the mass media.



Saloma and Dendang Irama performing in the film Nasib Do Re Mi directed by P. Ramlee in 1966.

Dendang Irama was one of the pop yeh yeh bands formed in Kuala Lumpur under the patronage of P. Ramlee, the legendary film star who also composed and sing songs in both films and on records. Under his direction, they appeared on his film “Masam-Masam Manis” (Sour but Sweet) (1965), “Nasib Do Re Mi” (The Fate of Do Re Mi) (1966), “Anak Bapak” (Papa’s Pet) (1968) and “Gelora” (The Gale) (1970).

P. Ramlee & Dendang Irama: “Ku-Rindu Pada-Mu” (I Miss You) from Masam-Masam Manis (1965)

Ku Rindu Pada Mu (P. Ramlee)

P. Ramlee & Dendang Irama: “Ai Ai Ai Twist” from Masam-Masam Manis (1965)

AI AI TWIST - P.Ramlee (1965)

Saloma & Dendang Irama: “Pesta Muda-Mudi” (The Youth’s Fiesta) from Nasib Do Re Mi (1966)

Saloma & Dendang Irama - PESTA MUDA MUDI (1966)

Saloma & Dendang Irama:” Hati Muda” (Young at Heart) from Nasib Do Re Mi (1966)

Saloma & Dendang Irama - HATI MUDA (1966)

P. Ramlee & Dendang Irama:” Terbang Burong Terbang” (Fly, Bird…Fly!) from Anak Bapak (1968)

P.Ramlee & Kugiran Dendang Irama - Terbang Burung Terbang (OST Anak Bapak 1968)

Following their appearance on films, Dendang Irama became one of the few pop yeh yeh bands being invited to perform live on Radio Malaysia and TV Malaysia at that time.

Members of Dendang Irama consisted of Raja Ahmad (permanent vocalist), Othman Maulud (lead guitarist cum band leader), Hassan Sulaiman (rhythm guitarist), M. Yusoff Osman (bass guitarist) and Othman Abu Bakar (drummer).

Their involvement with P. Ramlee that had shaped their musical career and popularity began to gain the trust from recording companies from both sides of the Causeway. In 1966, together with singer Jaafar Osman, they made their debut EP under EMI Singapore, with songs “Kalong Asmara” (A Garland of Affection), “Kau Ku-Rindu” (You’re The One I Miss), “Dara Jelita” (The Beautiful Girl) and “Muda Mudi” (The Youth).



Jaafar Osman & Dendang Irama EGEP 611 1966 full

In 1967, a Kuala Lumpur-based recording company called Maju Records assigned Dendang Irama to accompany a handful of singers under its label. Under Maju, the band recorded together with M. Anip, Raja Ahmad, Noor Azizah, Anuar Idris and Jaafar Osman.

 



RAJA AHMAD & DENDANG IRAMA (Maju, 1967)

“Ku Merindu” (I Miss You)

"KU MERINDU" Raja Ahmad dan Dendang Irama Kg Baru KL 1967

“Ratapan Kaseh” (The Woes of a Lover)  

raja ahmad & dendang irama _ ratapan kaseh (1968)

“Jangan Kau Pergi” (Don’t Go Away)  

JANGAN KAU PERGI Raja Ahmad & Dendang Irama, Kg Baru K.L 1968

“Pergi Untuk Selama-nya” (Leaving for Good)

raja ahmad & dendang irama_ku pergi buat selamanya

 


BERDENDANG-LAH DENGAN DENDANG IRAMA (LET’S SING WITH DENDANG IRAMA) (Maju, 1967)

M. Anip & Dendang Irama: “Oh Ya Ya”

M Anip - Oh Ya Ya Ya ( Dendang irama )

Norazizah & Dendang Irama: “Menchipta Bahagia” (Creating Happiness)

Norazizah dgn. Dendang Irama - Mencipta Bahagia (Othman Maulud) - 1967

Raja Ahmad & Dendang Irama: “Ada-kah Yang Punya” (Are You Belonged to Anyone)

raja ahmad & dendang irama _ adakah yang punya (1968)

Raja Ahmad & Dendang Irama: “Rayuan-mu” (Your Appeal)

"RAYUANMU" RAJA AHMAD DAN DENDANG IRAMA, KG BARU KUALA LUMPUR 1967

 

 



DENDANG IRAMA DENGAN 4 BINTANG (DENDANG IRAMA FEATURING 4 STARS)

(Maju, 1967)

Norazizah & Dendang Irama: “Kembali-lah Kanda” (Come Back, My Love)

NORAZIZAH & DENDANG IRAMA - MENANTI KANDA

Raja Ahmad & Dendang Irama: : “Tunggu Hari Bahagia” (Wait for the Happy Day)

Raja Ahmad - Tunggu Hari Bahagia (Othman Maulud/Ramli Ismail)

 Anuar Idris & Dendang Irama: “ Batin-ku Menangis” (My Soul Cries)

anuar idris _ batinku menangis (1968)

Jaafar Osman & Dendang Irama:  “Dewi Puspita”

jaafar osman _ dewi puspita (1968)

 

Warmest regards,

Ghaz, KL

Credits to:

1.      Merdeka Film Studio, Kuala Lumpur

2.      EMI Records, Singapora

3.      Maju Records, Kuala Lumpur

4.      Imran Ibrahim

5.      Madey Radio Klasik

6.      Mohd Islam

7.      Yudhie

8.      PopOK Clasical

9.      The Caliphers 60s




  

Posted by DJ Carl Hamm at 5:10 PM 0 comments

FOCUS on * LES FENTONES! * Written by Pop Yeh Yeh Scholar, Ghaz (KL, Malaysia, Dec 12 2024)

 



The late A. Karim Jais (1946 – 1999) (second from left) accompanied by Les Fentones as special guest stars in the film “Playboy” (1967) directed by Noordin Ahmad (1932 – 1971).

Les Fentones was one of the Singaporean bands that were active during the pop yeh yeh era. The band consisted of Kamaruddin Ahmad (lead guitarist), Manaf Ahmad a.k.a. A. Manaf (bass guitarist), Aziz Ahmad (rhythm guitarist cum keyboardist) and M. Said (drummer). Kamaruddin Ahmad and his brother Manaf Ahmad composed most of the songs that the band recorded and wrote their lyrics too.

The band’s first involvement in music recording began in 1965 when it accompanied M. Osman (1940 – 2001), from which 2 EPs and an SP were made with Teo Kwang’ s Eagle Records.

 


M. Osman & Les Fentones – Desa Suchi (The Sacred Village)[1965]

DESA SUCI - M.OSMAN & LES FENTONES

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Gelombang Rindu (Waves of Longing) [1965]

M OSMAN GELOMBANG RINDU

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Dara (Maiden) [1965]

M Osman & Les Fentones – Dara

 

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Selamat Tinggal Puja’an (Goodbye, My Love) [1965]

M. Osman & Les Fentones - Selamat Tinggal Pujaan (K. Scorpio) - 1965

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Dendang Patah Hati (Song of A Broken Hearted) [1965]

m osman & les fentones dendang patah hati

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Dendang Membawa Diri (Song of Carrying Myself) [1965]

M. OSMAN/ LES FENTONES- DENDANG MEMBAWA DIRI

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Kaseh Berduka (Grieving Love) [1966]

M. OSMAN/ LES FENTONES- KASEH BERDUKA

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Mawar-Ku Pergi (My Rose Has Left) [1966]

M.osman & les fentones mawar ku pergi

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Jiwa Merana (A Languishing Soul) [1966]

M. OSMAN/ LES FENTONES- JIWA MERANA

 

M. Osman & Les Fentones – Bulan Bintang (The Moon and The Stars) [1966]

M. OSMAN/ LES FENTONES- BULAN BINTANG

 

After making 3 albums with M. Osman, Les Fentones became more active in 1966 and 1967 when the band was assigned to Suria Records. A. Karim Jais (mentioned as A. Karim then) and Fatimah H. S. were two singers that they accompanied the most in their respective records.



Songs from these EPs include the following:

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Kechewa Chinta (A Disappointed Love) [1966]

a karim jais & les fentones _ kechewa chinta (1966)

 

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Harapan Suchi (A Holy Hope) [1966]

a karim jais & les fentones _ harapan suchi (1966)

 

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Julaidah (Julaidah) [1966]

A. Karim & Les Fentones - Julaidah (Manaf Ahmad) - Jun 1966

 

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Bahgia Menjelma (Happiness Transformed) [1966]

a karim jais & les fentones _ bahagia menjelma (1966)

 

 

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Peristiwa Merachun Hati (Heart-Poisoning Events)[1966]

a karim jais & les fentones _ peristiwa merachun hati

 

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones -  Membisu Sa-Ribu Kata (Silent for A Thousand Words)[1966]

A KARIM JAIS & LES FENTONES Membisu Seribu Kata Ep SA 1003 , 1966

 

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Janji-Ku (My Promise)[1966]

A KARIM JAIS/ LES FENTONES- JANJI KU

 

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Merayu Kaseh (Flirting With Love) [1966]

(*To search for audio)

 

Fatimah H. S. & Les Fentones – Rindu Jangan Menangis Pun Jangan (Don’t Cry or Longing for Me) [1966]

fatimah h s & les fentones _ rindu jgn menangis pun jgn

 

Fatimah H. S. & Les Fentones -  Istana Chinta (The Palace of Love) [1966]

fatimah h s & les fentones _ istana chinta

 

Fatimah H. S. & Les Fentones – Senyuman-Mu (Your Smile) [1966]

Fatimah H S dan Les Fentones - Senyuman Mu 1966

 

Fatimah H. S. & Les Fentones – Paduan Kaseh (The Harmony of Love) [1966]

Fatimah H S & Les Fentones - Paduan Kasih


Song from this EP include:

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Suasana Jiwa (The Soul’s Atmosphere) (1966)

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Bahgia Berubah Derita (Happiness Turned into Suffering) (1966)

Fatimah H. S. & Les Fentones – Pengorbanan (Sacrifice) (1966)

Fatimah H. S. & Les Fentones – Ratapan Hati Luka (A Wounded Heart’s Lamentation) (1966)

LES FENTONES SA 1002 Full Ep

 



Songs from this EP include:

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Chinta Hampa (Empty Love) [1967]

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Si-Dara Jelita  [The Beautiful Maiden) [1967]

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Akibat Chinta (The Consequences of Love) [1967]

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones – Kau Di-Hatiku (You, in My Heart) [1967]

A KARIM JAIS & LES FENTONES FULL Ep SA 1007 1967

 

Owing to their remarkable success in song recording, A. Karim Jais and Les Fentones were invited as special guest stars in the Cathay Keris film “Playboy” in 1967.

 

A.    Karim Jais & Les Fentones performing 3 songs in the film “Playboy”.

Himpunan Video Muzikal Lagu-Lagu Petikan dari Soundtrack Filem "Playboy 1967"

 

Besides accompanying other singers, Les Fentones also recorded their own songs, this time with bass guitarist Manaf Ahmad as the lead vocalist.



Manaf Ahmad (second from left) became the lead vocalist of Les Fentones in this recording.

Les Fentones – Di-Sa’at Bahagia (In happy Times) [1967]

Les Fentones - Di Saat Bahagia.

 

Les Fentones – Chari Yang Lain (Find Another Lover Instead) [1967]

a manaf & les fentones _ chari yang lain

 

Les Fentones – Derita Batin (The Inner Suffering [1967]

a manaf & les fentones _ derita batin

 

Les Fentones – Harapan Menjelma (Hope Manifests) [1967] 

A manaf harapan menjelma

 

Before calling it quits in 1968, Les Fentones recorded another EP, this time with a pop yeh yeh singer named A. Azman.

 

 

A.    Azman & Les Fentones – Nada Rindu (A Tone of Missing You) [1968]

a azman & les fentones _ nada rindu (1968) - YouTube

 

A. Azman & Les Fentones – Chinta (Love) [1968]

a azman & les fentones _ cinta (1967)

 

A. Azman & Les Fentones – Irama Ria (The Rhytym of Happiness) [1968]

a azman & les fentone _ irama ria (1967)

 

A. Azman & Les Fentones – Oh… Bunda-Ku (Oh.. My Mother) [1968]

(*to search for audio)

 

Written by Ghaz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Credits to:

 

1.          Teo Kwang’s Eagle Record, Singapore

2.          Suria Records, Singapore

3.          Cathay Keris Film Production, Singapore

4.          Wikipedia (in Malay)

5.          discog

6.          Yudhie, Sarawak

7.          Imran Ibrahim, Melaka

8.          Nostalgia Hassny

9.          Aziz Cruise Desa

10.       popOK classical

11.       Mohd Islam

12.       Nasri Mohd Kelan

Posted by DJ Carl Hamm at 4:54 PM 0 comments

Monday, November 11, 2024

Terry Thaddeus (1947-2003) - The "Jimi Hendrix of Malaysia" - written by Ghaz

 Terry Thaddeus (1947-2003), the lead guitarist of a Malaysian multiracial band called The Hunters. The band was featured in Studio Merdeka's 1968 film "Lain Jalan Ka-Shorga" (The Other Path to Heaven). 



Terry Thaddeus (right) and his band The Hunters in the film Lain Jalan Ka-Shorga.
"Menchari Pasangan" = "Finding A Partner"
"Musim A-Go-Go" = "The A-Go-Go Season"
In 1963, Thaddeus and his schoolmates from the prestigious St. John's Institution in Kuala Lumpur formed a band originally called The Teenage Hunters. The band consists of Thaddeus himself as the lead guitarist, Peter Ghouse as the rhythm guitarist, Jimmy D'Oliverio as the bassist, Roland Foong as the drummer and Lawrence Dragon as the keyboardist. After winning the 1964 Beatles' competition, they managed to cut a few records with instrumental hits under Life Records in 1965. 


The young Terry Thaddeus (left) during his teenage years.
Note: "Merwill" is the combination of the name of Thaddeus' parents, Mearle and Willie Thaddeus. 
Following the success of these recordings, the band was assigned to accompany other singers, particularly during the pop yeh yeh era. Since members of the band has become young adults by this time, they simply called themselves The Hunters. 


Among the recording work by Terry Thaddeus and The Hunters.
Translation:
"Sha La La Juwita" = "Sha La La Juwita"
"Puteri Kayangan" = "A Princess from The Heaven"
"Sejak Bertemu" = "Since We Met"
"Chari Ganti" = "Finding A Replacement"
"Gelisah" = "Anxious"
"Ayam Didek" = "Young Chicks"
"Mari Ke Mari" = "Come Here"
"Duniaku" = "My World (Il Mondo)"
In the early 1970s, Thaddeus began to join other bands and began a series of performances in both overseas nightclubs, including Singapore, Thailand and Australia. Due to his superb guitar skills, he was given the moniker Jimmy Hendrix of Asia. On of the bands which he joined was another Malaysian multiracial band called The Strollers. In 1973, he recorded his own singing for the first time with them.


Terry Thaddeus (squatting) with The Strollers in this 1973 EP.
With his experience in the entertainment industry, he played multiple roles, including as composer for advertisement jingles and album producer.


A 1996 album by a Malay heavy metal band called Search, featuring Terry Thaddeus as a co-producer.
Nevertheless, he continued to perform onstage and record songs, mostly for charity causes.
Terry Thaddeus died in 2003 of cancer. His son, Mark, inherited the former’s talent in guitar playing.


Terry Thaddeus in his golden age.
The pop yeh yeh music, while being filled with Malay lyrics and vocals, was also being played by non-Malay musicians. This shows that Malaysians, regardless of their race and faith of beliefs, remain united in preserving the quality of music to be enjoyed by all listeners. It is evident that music is a universal language that continues to unite mankind, as P. Ramlee (1929-1973) used to say, “The work of art is the work of God.”
Ghaz, KL
Credit to:
1.    Radio & Television of Malaysia
2.    Merdeka Film Studio
3.    Life Record
4.    Sputnik Rekordz
5.    BMG/Go Search
6.    The Star
7.    John Thaddeus
8.    Mark Thaddeus
9.    Billy Ong
10. Imran Ibrahim
11. Nostalgia Hassny
12. Madey Radio Klasik
13. Geronimo
14. The rest who contributed their materials on Terry Thaddeus online.
Posted by DJ Carl Hamm at 6:48 AM 0 comments

THE MODS – THE FIRST POP YEH YEH BAND ON RECORD - - written by Ghaz

 



The Mods and Wan Intan alias A. Wani, one of the pop yeh yeh singers that they accompanied with.
Listening to M. Osman’s 1965 debut hit titled Suzana, one may wonder which band accompanied it. Based on the record sleeve, it was revealed that the band was named The Mods.
The band originally consisted of A. R. Jailani as the leader, Ady Yus, Harris Osman and M. Husny. In 1965, they were admitted by Teo Kwang Records under the Eagle label and for their first record, they accompanied M. Osman for songs Suzana (Suzana) and Risau (Worried), his wife Afida Es for the song Selintas Kesan (At A Glance) and his sister-in-law Enna Es for the song Kechewa Kaseh (Disappointment of Love). Suzana, with both music and lyrics composed by Kamalsjah under his pseudonym Scorpio, became an instant hit, which then sparked a new musical genre called Pop Yeh Yeh.


The Mods accompanied M. Osman, Afida Es and Enna Es in their debut EP released in 1965.
M. Osman & The Mods – Suzana (1965) M. Osman & The Mods - Suzana (Scorpio) - 1965
M. Osman & The Mods – Risau (Worried) (1965) M. Osman dgn The Mods - Risau (Scorpio) - 1965
Afida Es & The Mods – Selintas Kesan (At A Glance) (1965) Afida Es & The Mods - Selintas Kesan (Scorpio) - 1965
Enna Es & The Mods – Kechewa Kaseh (Disappointment of Love) (1965) Enna Es & The Mods - Kecewa Kasih (A.R. Jailani - M. Osman) - 1965
 The success of Suzana had provided more recording opportunities for the band itself as well as M. Osman, Afida Es and Enna Es in the following years. M. Osman, who had already carved an acting career in films and TV shows in Singapore, continued to record with other bands under various labels, and so was sisters Afida Es and Enna Es.
In 1966, The Mods accompanied Enna Es on another EP under Roxy, together with a new singer, M. Y. Eunos, on the same record.


Enna Es & The Mods – Rela (Relented) (1966) (*a cover version of I Know)
Enna Es & The Mods – Ku kan Tunggu Jua (I’ll Still Wait for You) (1966)
[To search for audio]
M. Y. Eunos & The Mods – Restu-Ku (My Blessings) (1966)
M. Y. Eunos & The Mods – Oh Dewi Manja (Oh My Pampered Angel) (1966)
 The popularity of The Mods had became the word of mouth. Eventually, the band was invited to perform on the Shaw Brothers’ film A-Go-Go ’67 (1967) together with Wan Intan alias A. Wani for the Ku-Mohon Do’a (I Beg for Prayers).
OST A GO GO 67 1967 - Ku Mohon Doa - Wan Intan & The Mods



 
The Mods accompanied Wan Intan alias A. Wani in the film A-Go-Go ’67 (1967). A soundtrack SP of their performance was released by EMI in the same year.
Besides their exposure in the said film, A. Wani and The Mods also recorded a full EP in 1967.



The full EP of A. Wani and The Mods, issued in 1967.
A. Wani & The Mods – Pesanan-ku (My Reminder) (1967)
A. Wani & The Mods – Antara Aku Dan Bintang (Between Me and the Stars) (1967)
A. Wani & The Mods – Hanya Aku Berdo’a (I Can Only Pray) (1967)
A. Wani & The Mods – Ratapan Hati (Lamentation of the Heart) (1967)
Unfortunately, The Mods had no longer appeared in Malay show business after the release of the above EP for unknown reasons. Nevertheless, their short-term involvement did shape the Malay music of the 1960s and made history as the first pop yeh yeh band that ever cut an album, recording songs that had managed to hit the radio charts.
Ghaz, KL
Credit to:
1.     EMI (Singapore)
2.     Roxy Records
3.     Teo Kwang Records
4.     Shaw Brothers’ Malay Film Production
5.     Yudhie
6.     Imran Ibrahim
7.     Hassny Hussin
8.     Discog


Posted by DJ Carl Hamm at 6:34 AM 0 comments
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