Featuring... the FABIAN'S BOYS!

  

Another Singaporean Boyanese pop yeh yeh band that had made an impact to the Malay entertainment scene in the 1960s was The Fabian Boys. The band’s name Fabian came from a Boyanese word phebian, which is the name that the community was referred to, before the term Boyanese was widely used by the Dutch colonials in Indonesia and the British in both Singapore and Malaysia.

The Fabian Boys consisted of Alistini Badjury (this time his surname was re-spelt Badjuree) as the lead guitarist, M. Masnawi (1946-2020) as the rhythm guitarist, Sani as the bassist, Endeng as the drummer and Sofyan as the tambourine player.

The band secured recording contracts offered by Globe Records and TNA Records throughout their career in 1967 and 1968. They were disbanded after appearing briefly in the Cathay Keris film Pop Muda (The Young Pop Stars) in 1968.

Among the singers accompanied by The Fabian’s Boys were as follows:

 M. Wari, M. Masnawi,  Alistini Badjury, Oslan Hussein & S. Alwi

   

After his career with The Cliffters ended, M. Wari continued his singing activities with The Fabian Boys. He recorded his songs under both Globe Records and TNA Records. The collaboration between Wari and the band became stronger, due to the fact that Masnawi, the rhythm guitarist of The Fabian Boys, is his younger brother. Meanwhile, after the disbandment of The Cliffters, Alistini Badjury joined The Fabian Boys to stay relevant to the entertainment scene. In 1968, The Fabian Boys accompanied two comedian singers from Indonesia – Oslan Hussein (1931-1972) and S. Alwi for their EP under TNA Records. This was indeed a golden opportunity as the band, which was by this time, appeared more frequently on radio and television in the republic, was given trust by TNA Records to accompany international artists. 

 

M. Wari & The Fabian Boys – Riwayat Sangkuriang (The Tale of Sangkuriang)

m wari & the fabian's boys _ riwayat sangkuriang (1967)

M. Wari & The Fabian Boys – Mengapa (Why)

THE FABIAN BOYS - 03. Mengapa (M. Wari)

M. Wari & The Fabian Boys – Tinggal-lah Bonda (Goodbye, My Mother)

[To search for audio]

M. Wari & The Fabian Boys – Malam Perpisahan (The Farewell Night)

M Wari The Fabian's Boy Malam Perpisahan MEP 403 , 1967

M. Wari & The Fabian Boys – Si-Dia (The Lady) M Wari The Fabian's Boy Si Dia MEP 403 , 1967

M. Wari & The Fabian Boys – Tiada Ku-Tahu (I Don’t Know)

M Wari & The Fabian Boys - Tiada Ku Tahu

M. Masnawi & The Fabian Boys – Nasib Diri-ku (My Own Fate)

masnawi & the fabian's boys _ nasib diriku (1967)

M. Masnawi & The Fabian Boys – Juwita-ku Sayang (Juwita, My Love)

masnawi & the fabian's boys _ juwitaku sayang (1967)

Alistini Badjury & The Fabian Boys – Istana Kesuma Dewi (The Palace of Kesuma Dewi)

THE FABIAN BOYS - Istana Kesuma Dewi (Alistini Badjuree)

Alistini Badjury & The Fabian Boys – Terona Tao-A (a Boyanese song)

Alistini Bajuree & The Fabian Boys - Terona Taoa

Oslan Hussein & S. Alwi with The Fabian Boys – Papa, Saya Ta’ Mau Kahwin (Papa, I Don’t Want To Get Married) (328) oslan hussein & s alwi & the fabian boys _ papa saya tak mau kawin (1968) - YouTube

Oslan Hussein & S. Alwi with The Fabian Boys – Awas Hati-hati (Be Careful)

OSLAN HUSEIN & S ALWI - Awas Hati-Hati (1968)

Oslan Hussein & S. Alwi with The Fabian Boys – Rantak Kudo (The Horse’s Steps)

Oslan Husein & S. Alwi ~ Rantak Kudo

Oslan Hussein & The fabian Boys – Jangan Kau Menangis (Don’t You Cry)

Oslan Husein ~ Jangan Kau Menangis

Halipah, Norfizah & Lili Maria

Nothing much was known about singers Halipah, Norfizah and Lili Maria – three female singers recorded with The Fabian Boys. Under Globe Records, Halipah and Norfizah sang not ony their individual songs but in duet too. On the other hand, Lili Maria recorded a full EP with The Fabian Boys under TNA Records.

Norfizah & The Fabian Boys – Rayuan Anak-mu (Your Daughter’s Appeal)

norfizah & the fabian's boys _ rayuan anakmu

Norfizah & The Fabian Boys – Janji Chelaka (A Wretched Promise)

THE FABIAN BOYS - 04. Janji Chelaka (Norfizah)

Norfizah & The Fabian Boys – Perpisahan (A Separation)

norfizah & the fabian's boys _ perpisahan

Norfizah & The Fabian Boys – Hujan Di-Malam Hari (The Rain at Night)

norfizah & the fabian's boys _ hujan di malam hari (1967)

Norfizah & Halipah with The Fabian Boys – Tu Bulan Tu Bintang (There Are the Moon and the Stars) norfizah & halipah _ tu bulan tu bintang

Norfizah & Halipah with The Fabian Boys – Bersiar-siar (Wandering Around)

Norfizah & Halifah dgn The Fabian's Boys - Bersiar-siar (Alistini Bajuree) - 1967

Lili Maria & The Fabian Boys – Di-Landa Kenangan (Trapped by Memoirs)

lili maria & the fabian's boy _ dilanda kenangan

Lili Maria & The Fabian Boys – Di-Punchak Gunong Ku-Daki (I Climbed to The Tip of a Mountain)

lili maria & the fabian's boy _ di puncak gunung ku daki (1967)

Lili Maria & The Fabian Boys – Senja Membawa Bahagia (An Evening That Brings Happiness)

[To search for audio]

Lili Maria & The Fabian Boys – Sumbangseh-ku (My Contribution)

lili maria & the fabian's boy _ sumbangsihku (1967)

Unfortunately, like many other pop yeh yeh bands, the career of The Fabian Boys was also short-lived. Alistini, Halipah and Norfizah were nowhere to be found in the entertainment scene. However, M. Wari was very fortunate when he was offered an opportunity to act in a film titled Ibu-lah Shorga (1968), produced by Gabongan Artist Film Company (GAFICO), the only one by it prior to its own closure in the same year. Beginning 1971, Wari led a band called Kugiran Dian, which accompanied some comedians like Momo Latif and Alias Congo, and his own brother M. Masnawi who had become a singer of his own name, whereby he recorded a series of EPs and an LP between 1975 and 1977. Wari also continued to act in dramas on the Radio & Television of Singapore (RTS), besides being a volunteer for the Singapore Boyanese Association (PBS). 

Sincerely yours,

Ghaz, KL

(Note: Currently, I’m writing live from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Please pray for my speedy recovery to enable me to continuously share with all of you the remarkable success and achievement of our talented heroes and heroines of Pop Yeh Yeh music, which had shaped the 1960s in my country Malaysia and its neighboring countries. Thank you for your prayers and support for my humble noble cause in honoring our local talents. Sincerely, with lots of love from me and my family from both sides of the Causeway.)

Credits to:

1.         Cathay Keris Film Production, Singapore

2.         Globe Records, Singapore

3.         TNA Records

4.         Carl M. Hamm

5.         Nostalgia Hassny

6.         Yudhie

7.         popOk classical

8.         classic musioc

9.         dewi purnama

10.   KFH Lovegood

11.   Doubleh

12.   Sweet Memories

Spotlight on THE ANTARTICS - by Ghaz, KL

Here's another informative article about the legendary band, The Antartics (sic), written by Pop Yeh Yeh historian, Ghaz! 

 

THE ANTARTICS – FROM ENGLISH TO MALAY SONGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Antartics’ members include Joe Mann (lead), Eunos Rahmat (rhythm), R. Rahmat (bass) and S.A. Vinton (drums, vocals). The late Vinton, whose real name is Syed Ahmad, was also a popular songwriter where he wrote many Malay and English songs, not only for the band itself but also for other singers in the 1960s. In the beginning, the band performed in nightclubs and hotels, and their first vocalist was Jim Mustapha. Nevertheless, Jim had never recorded any songs with them on records. 

 

 

Three English SPs recorded by The Antartics as themselves in 1966 – 1967.

The Antartics – I’m in Love with You [1966] antartics, i'm in love with you

The Antartics – Stop Thinking of Me Today [1966] [to search for audio]

The Antartics – Hey Little Girl [1966] THE ANTARTICS - Hey Little Girl 7" (1966)

The Antartics – Runaway from Me [1966] Runaway

The Antartics – We Have Been in Love [1967] [to search for audio]

The Antartics – Nancy Pancy [1967] Nancy Pancy

 

  

Ahmad Jais (1936-2011)

From his debut EP recorded in late 1965 until the early part of 1966, Ahmad Jais was initially accompanied by John Lee Orchestra and Orkes Dendang Perindu led by composer Kassim Masdor. Only one of his signature tunes, Gelisah (Anxious) was recorded with the accompaniment of The Quests, a multiracial band which had become one of the resident bands in EMI Singapore. Somehow, mid-1966 saw the emergence of pop yeh yeh and he was assigned by the recording company to give it a try. Therefore, Ahmad Jais made two EPs with The Antartics, one each in 1966 and 1967, respectively. Both EPs turned out to be successful. However, due to unexplained reasons, only the two EPs were done throughout their collaboration. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahmad Jais & The Antartics – Dikau Puja’an (You’re the One I Adore) [1966] 

AHMAD JAIS / THE ANTARTIC - DI KAU PUJAAN

Ahmad Jais & The Antartics – Sumpah Setia (A Pledge of Allegiance) [1966]

Ahmad Jais & The Antartics ~Sumpah Setia ~

Ahmad Jais & The Antartics – Pergi Tanpa Kata (Leaving Without A Word) [1966]

Dato' Ahmad Jais ~ Pergi Tanpa Kata ~

Ahmad Jais – Do’a Dan Pesan-ku – (My Prayer and My Reminder) [1966]

DIGITALLY REMASTERED "DOA & PESANKU" AHMAD JAIS DAN THE ANTARTICS 1967

Ahmad Jais & The Antartics – Bunga Ku-Puja Di-Petek Orang (The Girl That I Adore Has Been Taken by Someone Else) [1967] Bunga Ku Puja Di Petik Orang

Ahmad Jais & The Antartics – Oh Dewi (My Angel) [1967] Oh Dewi

Ahmad Jais & The Antartics – Si-Lesong Pipit (The One with a Dimple) [1967]

Si Lesong Pipit - Ahmad Jais & The Antartics

Ahmad Jais & The Antartics – Ta’ Rela (Unwillingly) [1967] Ahmad Jais & The Antartics ~ Tak Rela ~

 

M. Bakri (1938-2001)

M. Bakri, the champion of Bintang Radio Malaya 1957 (Radio Malaya Star 1957) began his recording career with EMI Singapore in 1959, through a 78-r.p.m. record with songs Chinta Hampa (A Disappointed Love) and Sumbangseh-ku (My Contribution). Among the musical groups he had collaborated with prior to pop yeh yeh era include Ahmad Wan Yet Orchestra and John Lee Orchestra. In 1965, Bakri began working with The Swallows Combo to record Malaysia Baru (A New Malaysia), originally a song from the soundtrack of the 1963 film Kaseh Tanpa Sayang (Love Without Affection) issued by Shaw Brothers’ Malay Film Productions. In 1966, for a trial. Bakri was given the opportunity to record pop yeh yeh songs with The Antartics. Due to the overwhelming success, another EP was recorded in 1967. Bakri himself wrote many of the songs together with their lyrics, while the others were written in collaboration with lyricists such as S. Sudarmadji and Maimunah Haji Omar. Besides singing and composing songs, Bakri also became a co-host in TV Singapura’s entertainment program titled Istana Pesta (The Palace of Fiesta). In one of his record sleeves, there is a photo of him singing in the said program. After his last EP recorded in 1969 with Orkes Dendang Perindu led by Kassim Masdor, Bakri left the entertainment scene to focus on his career as a schoolteacher.

M. Bakri & The Antartics – Senyum-mu (Your Smile) [1966]

M. Bakri with The Antartics “Senyumanmu” (1966) - RIPPED FROM 7” VINYL EP

M. Bakri & The Antartics – Pertemuan (An Encounter) [1966]

M. Bakri with The Antartics “Pertemuan” (1966) - RIPPED FROM 7” VINYL EP

M. Bakri & The Antartics – Pelita Hati (The Light of My Heart) [1966]

M. Bakri with The Antartics “Pelita Hati” (1966) - RIPPED FROM 7” VINYL EP

M. Bakri & The Antartics – Manis Manja [1966]

M. Bakri with The Antartics “Manis Manja” (1966) - RIPPED FROM 7” VINYL EP

 

 

M. Bakri & The Antartics – Beri-lah Berita (Do Keep in Touch) [1967]

M. Bakri with The Antartics “Berilah Berita” (1967) - RIPPED FROM 7” VINYL EP

M. Bakri & The Antartics – Jika Ku Tahu (Had I Knew) [1967]

M. Bakri with The Antartics “Jika Ku Tahu” (1967) - RIPPED FROM 7” VINYL EP

M. Bakri & The Antartics – Kaseh Di-Ambang Harapan (Love at the Brink of Hope) [1967]

M. Bakri with The Antartics “Kasih Di Ambang Harapan” (1967) - RIPPED FROM 7” VINYL EP

M. Bakri & The Antartics – Chebis Mimpi (Pieces of a Dream) [1967]

M. Bakri with The Antartics “Cebis Mimpi” (1967) - RIPPED FROM 7” VINYL EP

 

Eddie Ahmad (1948-1993)

The singer that The Antartics had collaborated the most with was the late Eddie Ahmad. Beginning with a successful EP in 1966, Eddie continued working with the band until 1968. In 1967, Eddie and The Antartics appeared partially in an audio in the film A-Go-Go ’67 with the song Gadis Melati (A Girl Named Melati). Beginning 1968, Eddie’s elder brother, Tony Ahmad, appeared in one of their recordings, where Tony contributed his skill as a saxophonist.

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics 1966 debut EP:

1.             Aduh Serodja (Oh! Serodja)

2.             Aku Kechewa (I’m Disappointed)

3.             Aku Tetap Merindu (I’ll Always Be Missing You)

4.             Dara Ayu (The Beautiful Girl)

FULL ALBUM EDDIE AHMAD & THE ANTARTICS Aduh Seroja, Aku Kechewa, Aku Tetap Merindu & Dara Ayu 1966

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Hanya Untok-mu (Just for You) [1967]

Hanya Untukmu - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Dunia-Ku Yang Permai (My Peaceful World) [1967]

Duniaku Yang Permai - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Dara Puspita [1967] Dara Puspita - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Rindu (I Miss You) [1967] Rindu - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

 

 

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Bisekan Jiwa (Whispers from My Heart) [1967]

Bisikan Jiwa - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Di-Mana Kau Berada (Where Have You Been) [1967]

Di Mana Kau Berada - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics – Hilang Bulan, Tahun Ku-nanti (I’ll Wait for You for Months and Years) [1967]

Hilang Bulan Tahun Ku Nanti - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics – Ikut Kata Ibu-mu (Obey Your Mother) [1967]

Ikut Kata Ibu - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

 

 

EDDIE AHMAD & THE ANTARTICS - Gadis Melati (A Giril Named Melati) [1967]

Gadis Melati - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

(from the original soundtrack of the film A-Go-Go ‘67)

 

 

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Pengemis Lara (A Miserable Beggar) [1968]

DIGITALLY REMASTERED "PENGEMIS LARA" EDDIE AHMAD DAN THE ANTARTICS 1967

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics -Nadirah [1968]

Nadirah - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Hanya Berita (Only News) [1968]

Hanya Berita - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Lembaran Hati (A Sheet of the Heart) [1968]

Eddie Ahmad 'Lembaran Hati' (1968)

 

 

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Untok Teman-Ku (To My Companion) [1968]

Untuk Temanku - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Gadis Puja’an-Ku (The Girl That I Adore) [1968]

(176) Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Gadis Pujaanku (S. A. Vinton/Anna Ibrahim) - 1968 - YouTube

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Pulang Dari Rantau (Returning from Abroad) [1968]

Pulang Dari Rantau - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

Eddie Ahmad & The Antartics - Hampa Sudah Harapan (All Hope is Lost) [1968]

Hampa Sudah Harapan - Eddie Ahmad (Official Audio)

 

The Antartics were no longer active as a band after 1968, after which singers previously accompanied by them began collaborating with other bands. For example, Ahmad Jais and M. Bakri resumed their recording works with Orkes Dendang Perindu for their later recordings from 1968 to1969, while Eddie Ahmad recorded with another multiracial band called The Guys (also in 1969), before becoming a solo artist under EMI from 1970 until 1973. The Antartics’ drummer S. A. Vinton then became a drummer for a band named The Breakthru’, who accompanied another singer named Kadir for his debut EP with EMI in 1975.

Credits to:

1.         EMI Singapore

2.         Imran Ibrahim (Melaka)

3.         Hamlau Lahabau of muziknusantara (Singapore)

4.         Yudhie (Sarawak)

5.         Zai Yatiman

6.         Questing Bandstand