POP YEH YEH RESEARCH TRIP: 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.