While checking letters from readers I came across this Anonymous comment below. Thank you so much dear reader and friend for writing from across the Causeway about these four very talented musical producers and the vinyl records that resulted, which were later sold during the cassette years.
"I am a Malaysian 61 now in 2024 and remember as far back as in the late 1970’s when my gifted and talented school mate who came from a musically inclined family bought the Anita Sarawak and Tracy Huang cassettes [images] and shared and played them for us.
I was only about 15 or 16 at that time and the first thing I noticed was how remarkably the production sounded… it sounded very similar to the originals but sung by local divas Anita and Tracy... naturally, we read the credits. It started, 'Produced by Reggie Verghese...'
Thank you Singapore…thank you Reggie, Martin, Vincent and Iskandar … all great musicians & great humble human beings."
NB:
Beside the original ones many of these cassettes sold were pirated copies. A lot of them were sold in the open market, legally or otherwise. Business was brisk as production was cheap and sold for merely $2.00 a piece or thereabouts.
I am just wondering how the rightful companies and music producers dealt with this issue... Comments are welcome from readers.
Images: Google.
24 comments:
Many years ago, I had the privilege to meet the late Reggie and his wife for a group lunch arranged by a Quests mad fan and friend.
I see her immediately. I think Anita Sarawak... guess I old liao. 😢
These were the best and they never talked about their achievements. Humble, unlike non-achievers... RIP
Tracy huang lu yi later huang ying ying....always thought she singaporean if i not wrong but they say she taiwanese born. Nvr mind is history
Based on information from Musician Friends who worked & recorded with these 4 late recording producers from our Musical Past : Reggie Verghese, Vincent Lim, Martin Pereira & Iskandar Mirza Ismail - they were really hard & tough perfectionists.
But just look at what came out of all the hard work involved. Their end products - excellent recordings : ahead of their time.
But Off COS 🙏🏻👍🏼 REGGIE's Elder Brother,
*ALAN VERGHESE* is my FORM TEACHER👍🏼
Surprised that the writer at a tender age of 15 or 16 years, was cognitive and appreciative of the important role and talent of the four music records producers mentioned in his article. An awesome foursome they are indeed, and to be showered with such accolades by a foreigner to boot.
Awesome Memories Of Singapore’s 60’s & 70’s Diva Singers & Some Of The Best Musicians, Composers & Popular Music Producers Who Have Left Us Like Reggie Verghese, Iskandar Ismail, Martin Pereira, & Not Forgetting Robert Suriya. Also My Respect To Vincent Lim As One Of The Best Audio Recording Engineer Then. 🎶🎶🎶.
Daniel Dharanee Kannan
Many Malaysian, HK & regional producers & artists went to singapore to record largely because of Martin, Reggie, Vincent & later Iskandar…
Arguably Till today, that quartet were hugely responsible for many of the top recordings in the 70’s & 80’s …
May their memories be a blessing…🤩
Freda Hanum
Absolutely so agree with Daniel Dharanee Kannan ...and Aphonso ....they are really the unforgetable great EMI producers ...RIP ....and our 2 top most favourites great legends Anita Sarawak and Tracy Huang that can never be forgotten in the S'pore 70s80s music scene ...loved this article Andy
Stephen Han
I like Tracy Huang’s voice
To Alphonso: Thanks for your very informative comment. Only those involved would realise how important musical directors are in the recording industry.
Reply
Andy Young
Daniel Dharanee Kannan thank you for visiting this post. I hope you will contribute more with your knowledge of the industry discussed.
Andy Young
Freda Hanum thank you. Yes, you were in the music scene too. Totally grateful for your contribution and blog write-ups where the artistes and music are concerned.
Andy Young
Stephen Han thank you very much. As a contributing writer, your comment is precious. She is indeed a soft and gentle singer. I like her voice too.
Thanks Fabian for sharing with us your experience with Reggie.
She is indeed. Recognisable and always a star singer. Thanks for visiting the blog.
You should know Ivor, being a guitarist yourself with a great band. Thanks for your comment.
Hi, thanks anonymous your comment. Appreciate the trouble you take to reply.
Hello Michael, your replies are always appreciated, being a contributing writer yourself for many years and a musician too. You are always very knowledgeable.
Thanks Richard. He must have been a great teacher, like his brother a fantastic guitarist.
Thank you Jimmy. You should know being in the scene for so many years. Yes, they are indeed awesome.
THANK YOU ALL THE KIND PEOPLE BELOW
WHO LOVE AND LIKE THIS BLOG POST:
Freda Hanum
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Stephen Han
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Ann Rowena Lim
Yen Chow
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Daniel Dharanee Kannan
Peter Cheong
Ser Kiong Tan
Deservingly a tribute to these pop trailblazers
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