Saturday, August 31, 2024

A Malaysian Blog Reader Tributes Reggie Verghese, Martin Pereira, Vincent Lim, Iskandar Mirza Ismail.

UP TO 500 VIEWS, 24 COMMENTS

Anita Sarawak and Tracy Huang

Anita Serawak - 'Ayam Den Lapeh'
YouTube Video from:Zulkifli Ahmad

'Hello Darling': Tracy Huang
YouTube Video from: Michael Lim

"I am a Malaysian...": A Letter From Across The Causeway.

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.

Here's the letter in full:

"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...'


The original cassette of Tracy Huang 
as specified on the label and cover.


Cassette tapes of Tracy Huang 
sold well during the 1970s.
For illustration only as these 
cassettes above may be pirated copies.


Two other names, and were mostly being associated in other future collaborations were Martin Pereira and Vincent Lim [father of our well-known Singapore opposition party member, Jamus Lim]… till today, and add one more, the late Iskandar Mirza Ismail; nothing remotely close has ever come from Singapore as classy and of such quality standard from these four names… 

Cassette tapes of Anita Sarawak were recorded, 
produced and made by the awesome foursome 
mentioned by our Anonymous reader. 
The illustrations above may be pirated copies.

Original cassette with EMI Label.

They were trailblazers… so many throwing around names like King of Swing, King of this and King of that but no one remotely came close with the above talented and awesome foursome…

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:

FABIAN FOO [60S MUSIC FAN, VIDEO ENTHUSIAST] said...

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.

ALAN TEAH said...

I see her immediately. I think Anita Sarawak... guess I old liao. 😢

IVOR LESSLAR [GUITARIST EXTRAORDINAIRE/THE QUESTS: LEAD] said...

These were the best and they never talked about their achievements. Humble, unlike non-achievers... RIP

Anonymous said...

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

MICHAEL BANGAR [PROFESSIONAL GUITARIST/STROLLER/SILVER STRINGS] said...

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.

RICHARD RAJOO [GUITARIST] said...

But Off COS 🙏🏻👍🏼 REGGIE's Elder Brother,
*ALAN VERGHESE* is my FORM TEACHER👍🏼

JIMMY CHNG [PERCUSSIONIST/THE DECIBELS] said...

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.

ALPHONSO SOOSAY [PERCUSSIONIST/NAOMI N BOYS said...

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 D. KANNAN said...

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 [KEYBOARDIST/SINGER/THE TEEPEES] said...

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 said...

Stephen Han
I like Tracy Huang’s voice

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

To Alphonso: Thanks for your very informative comment. Only those involved would realise how important musical directors are in the recording industry.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

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: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

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: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

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.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks Fabian for sharing with us your experience with Reggie.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

She is indeed. Recognisable and always a star singer. Thanks for visiting the blog.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

You should know Ivor, being a guitarist yourself with a great band. Thanks for your comment.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi, thanks anonymous your comment. Appreciate the trouble you take to reply.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hello Michael, your replies are always appreciated, being a contributing writer yourself for many years and a musician too. You are always very knowledgeable.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks Richard. He must have been a great teacher, like his brother a fantastic guitarist.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you Jimmy. You should know being in the scene for so many years. Yes, they are indeed awesome.

CHIT CHAT said...

THANK YOU ALL THE KIND PEOPLE BELOW
WHO LOVE AND LIKE THIS BLOG POST:

Freda Hanum
Alphonso Soosay
Patrick Teng
Stephen Han
John Klass
Colin Colin
Ann Rowena Lim
Yen Chow
Jennie Law
Tracy Ng
Irene Hoe Ai Lee
Daniel Dharanee Kannan
Peter Cheong
Ser Kiong Tan

OLIVER BALASINGHAM [PERCUSSIONIST/FORMER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL] said...

Deservingly a tribute to these pop trailblazers