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

Spotlight on: THE VETERANS - Guest Blogger: Ghaz

 

THE VETERANS – THE BAND THAT BROUGHT POP YEH YEH SOUND FOR P. RAMLEE’S SONGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Veterans, a band formed by P Ramlee in 1967 for his recording of new songs.

The years 1966 until 1968 saw the emergence of pop yeh yeh bands and their companying singers who were as young as 20-something years old. In contrast, P. Ramlee whose age was approaching 40s continued to perform or compose songs in his own way. The slow adaptation to change to current listeners’ musical taste had led to an obvious decline to the style of music that he had adapted to since the World War II! 

Being aware of such phenomenon, Ramlee had formed a band called The Veterans to accompany him in his recording of new songs in 1967 and 1968 respectively, in conjunction with the release of new films that he was about to act and direct in both years, in addition to a series of new studio recordings.

Members of The Veterans include Mohd. Ali (lead guitarist), Adnan Zain (rhythm guitarist), Salleh Haji Yusoff (bass guitarist), Kassim Masdor (keyboardist), Ahmad Rejab (saxophonist and tambourine player) and Yusoff Ali (drummer). Through the performance of this band, Ramlee had tried to inject a new style of music with what he called “balo-balo-Q” and “zap a-go-go”.

The entire team tried their luck for the films that Ramlee acted and directed in the Kuala Lumpur-based Merdeka Film Studio, coupled with some songs done via studio recording at EMI Singapore.

 

Songs from the film Keluarga 69 (The 69 Family) [1967]

Keluarga 69 (The 69 Family) DIGITALLYREMASTERED "KELUARGA 69" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967

Semenjak Mata Bertentang (Since the Eyes Met) DIGITALLYREMASTERED "SEMENJAK MATA BERTENTANG" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967

Mengapa Derita (Why Do I Suffer) DIGITALLYREMASTERED "MENGAPA DERITA" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967

Songs from the film Sesudah Suboh (After Dawn) [1967]

Sepanjang Riwayat-ku (Throughout My Life) P.Ramlee dan The Veterans - Sepanjang Riwayatku (P. Ramlee) - 1968

Song from the film Anak Bapak (Papa’s Pet) [1968]

Terbang Burong Terbang (Fly, Bird…Fly) DIGITALLYREMASTERED "TERBANG BURUNG TERBANG" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967

Among the EPs and SPs recorded by P. Ramlee and The Veterans in 1967 and 1968.

Studio recordings

Senja Kala (Evening) [1967] P.Ramlee - Senja Kala (P. Ramlee-Yusnor Ef) - 1967

Dendang Perantau (A Traveller’s Song) [1967] P.Ramlee dgn. The Veterans - Dendang Perantau (P. Ramlee/S. Sudarmaji) - akhir1967

Bulan Mengambang (The Moon Begins to Shine) [1967] DIGITALLYREMASTERED "BULAN MENGAMBANG" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS DBP KASSIMMASDOR 1967

Ting Tara Tilalla [1967] DIGITALLYREMASTERED "TING TARA TILLALA" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967

Lanang Tunang Ta’ Jadi (An Engagement Called Off) [1968] P.Ramlee dgn. The Veterans - Lanang Tunang Tak Jadi (Kassim Masdor-Yusnor Ef) -1968

Unfortunately, such approach did not bring much success to Ramlee as a singer. In a 1968 interview with the Malaysian daily Berita Harian, the reporter on duty asked him on whether he had made any recording of new songs, which he admitted. The reporter was startled with such admission as he had hardly heard those songs on radio. P. Ramlee concluded with a short reply, “Well, I just don’t know why!” As his record sales had dwindled despite his effort to keep up with the current musical preference of the audience, EMI Singapore decided to end his contract in the same year.

Nevertheless, time has proven that such perception of irrelevance by Ramlee himself, the media and the public at large were wrong when after his untimely demise at the age of 44 in 1973, the audience began to appreciate his songs recorded with The Veterans through a series of compilation albums released by EMI years later. As evidence to this, you will always be able to listen to his Eidulfitri anthem, Dendang Perantau, recorded with The Veterans in 1967, on both radio and TV during the Muslims’ annual festival throughout the entire Malay archipelago. 

Ghaz, KL

Credit to:

1.      Merdeka Film Studio, Kuala Lumpur

2.      EMI Singapore and Malaysia

3.      Imran Ibrahim, Melaka

4.      Yudhie, Sarawak

5.      A. R. Ismail, Membedah P. Ramlee (Operating P. Ramlee)

6.      Yusnor Ef, P. Ramlee Yang Saya Kenal (P. Ramlee That I Know)

7.      Shaw Brothers, Majallah Filem, 1967

Spotlight on THE CLICK IV - Guest Blogger: Ghaz

 

THE CLICK IV

Another pop yeh yeh band that had briefly coloured the Malay-language music scene in the 1960s was The Click IV (or sometimes written as The Click 4). Although the members of the band were unknown, they did have their own style of music, which had shown some improvement over time, and according to the singers’ vocal performance whom they accompanied. Through their career, they stuck to only one recording label, which is Olympic Records, between 1967 and 1970.

Jaffar O. (1944 – 2010)

The first singer that The Click IV accompanied in Olympic Records was Jaffar O. Born Japar Ohjar in 1944 from a Madhurese-Boyanese parentage in Singapore’s Bukit Timah district, he left school at the age of 14 to work as an office attendant, before carving his career as a singer in the 1960s. With The Clans, Jaffar recorded two EPs, one each in 1967 and another in 1968, respectively. His songs like Punggok Merindu-kan Bulan (The Owl Misses the Moon), Merindu Kaseh (Missing My Lover So Much) and Undang-lah Aku (Invite Me) became instant hits and had managed to hit the radio’s top charts in both the republic and Malaysia.

Jaffar O & The Click IV – Kehampa’an-ku

Jaffar O & The Click IV – Pinang-kan Si-Dia

Jaffar O & The Click IV – Punggok Merindu-kan Bulan

Jaffar O & The Click IV – Merindu Kaseh

Jaffar O & The Click IV (1967)

Jaffar O & The Click IV – Undang-lah Aku Jaffar O & The Click IV - Undanglah Aku - 1968

Jaffar O & The Click IV – Gagena Paraban Jaffar O & The Click 4 - Gegena Paraban (Senikata: Jaafar O) - 1968

Jaffar O & The Click IV – Kaseh Terpisah Jaffar O & The Click IV - Kaseh Terpisah

Jaffar O & The Click IV – Di-Tinggal Kaseh jaafar O & the click 4 _ ditinggal kasih (1968)

 

A.   Ramlie (1948 – 2001)

After recording a series of EPs with The Rythmn Boys, The Clans and his own Pancharagam A. Ramlie (a.k.a. The Ramlies) from 1966 until 1968, A. Ramlie continued his journey as a recording artist with The Clans. Coincidently, in 1969, Olympic Records was celebrating its fifth anniversary of establishment. For this purpose, Ramlie had invited his fans to contribute their composition of songs and lyrics for him to record in his two EPs in 1969. The approach turned out to be a successful collaboration, where his songs Dendang Anak Tani (A Farmer’s Child’s Song) and Ole-Ole Temasek (Gifts from Temasek) [Note: “Temasek” is an ancient name for Singapore] became top hits of 1969. His last recording with The Clans was made in 1970. By this time, The Clans were trying to break away from the usual pop yeh yeh sound as evident from their style of musical performance, but unfortunately, this was the last recording that they had ever worked out on.

 

Dendang Anak Tani A. Ramlie & The Click 4 - Dendang Anak Tani (A. Ramlie/Abdul Ghani bin Mohd Isa) - 1969

Lambaian Desa A. Ramlie & The Click 4 - Lambaian Desa (Salamah Basiron) - 1969

Oleh Oleh Temasek Ole Ole Temasik - A.Ramlie & The Click 4

Bingkisan Rahsia DIGITALLY REMASTERED "BINGKISAN RAHSIA" A RAMLIE

Ikatan Bahagia

Sa-Chebis Kaseh Sa-Potong Hati

Entah Kaseh Daku, Entah Tidak

Petaka

A RAMLIE TRC 1048 FULL EP , 1.Ikatan Bahagia 2.....

Sa-Jambak Budi Sa-Tangkai Hati Se Jambak Budi Setangkai Hati

Kelohan Di-Hati Pilu A. Ramlie dengan The Click IV - Kelohan Di-Hati Pilu (Anuar Hamid) - 1970

Sa-Untai Kata Sa-Murni Kaseh Sa-Untai Kata, Sa-Murni Kaseh

Ku Segera Pulang A. Ramlie & The Click IV - Ku Segera Pulang (A. Ramlie) - 1969

 

Credits to:

1.     Olympic Records, Singapore

2.     Imran Ibrahim, Melaka

3.     Nostalgia Hassny

4.     Yudhie, Sarawak

5.     popOK classical