P. Ramlee's 'Bujang Lapok' On A Chinese Record Unique Indeed: Bau Asem, Ketiak Siapa Busok?

Chinese Pop Instrumental: A-Go-Go And Off-Beat Cha-Cha Art Sea Record: MEP 3032.

There were hundreds of instrumental groups in the 60s that catered to the Chinese pop markets in Singapore, Malaya and Hong Kong. Some of them had been featured many times on this blog.

These bands included Maurice Patton and The Melodians, Charlie and The Boys, The Travellers, The Silver Stones, the popular Stylers and more. The songs were usually covers of Western pops.

Tian Lian Band:

The genre of music was familiar too since these bands recorded 60s tunes mainly for dancing. But the name TIAN LIAN BAND (images) was a surprise - a very Chinese group indeed! Never heard or seen a record by this band. After checking some websites I found that this particular band had recorded other songs on Art Sea Record.

P. Ramlee:

But what is more surprising is the song on side two. Unless you are familiar with Malay pops, Pok Pok Bujang Lapok is a tongue-in-cheek about bachelors. It is composed by P. Ramlee and used in his movie with the same title. The other three songs include, When Will You Return (tagged as 'a Chinese song'), Young Ones (a Cantonese song) and So Lonely (a Hokkien song). A gimmick perhaps?

Swinging Skippers:

Even the group name of the dancing girls in the photographs caught my eye. They are called, The Swingin' Skippers. The girls must have been popular then to have their names displayed on the cover. Don't you find their costumes so informal and simple? That's Singapore street wear in the 60s. Not much different from today? And off-beat cha-cha definitely symbolises Chinese pops.

Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra:

P. Ramlee's music is internationally acclaimed that it has even been played by The Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra of Tashkent.

Images/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(3) Ramlee A Man Way Before His Time: Loh Tih

These remarks were taken at random from YouTube. Do listen to Bunyi Gitar on the right from YouTube contributer, 5Band:

(1) P. Ramlee actually was too ahead for his time. Sayang we knew that now.
(2) P. Ramlee has got to be one of the most iconic entertainers in Asia.
(3) One of the best "twist" scene in Malay vintage film.

(4) Of course pop yeh yeh was the best time to live for music in Malaysia. I wish I was born a bit earlier, then I could have experienced it better. Anyway, I admit I am a pop yeh yeh die hard fan... Keep it up.

(5) Old classic SURF song!!! Awesome!!! Lagu ni aku consider sama level dengan the Ventures, Dick Dale, The Beach Boys dll seangkatan, memang ada international value.

(6) Saya bangsa Cina, lagu P. Ramlee yang merapatkan saya dengan Kaum Melayu, bahasa sehari-harian yang indah dan seronok menceriakan pertuturan saya dan kawan-kawan sekeliling...

(7) Gitar jenis apa P. Ramlee guna tu ek? Nak kata Fender bukan... Nak kata Kapok pun bukan.... Mesti vintage punya brand. :)

(8) One word..AWESOME!!
(9) THIS IS GREAT ! Thanks a lot 5band! You rock !
Image: With Betty Loh Tih at Shaw Brothers Studios in the 60s.

(2) Aci Aci Buka Pintu: Nujum Pa'Belalang Sabar!

Aci buka pintu - P. Ramlee and Saloma. 

Terima kaseh kepada 

'Pakcummy' [YouTube video.]

This second Long Play is another EMI, Regal that specifies in Malay, "songs composed, arranged with the orchestra under Puteh Ramlee, AMN."

My interest in P. Ramlee dated back to the mid 50s when I watched movies produced by Shaw Brothers. My diet of Siput Sarawak, Neng Yatimah, Momo Latiff, Sit Tanjung Perak, S. Kadarisman and Omar Rojik holds strong even till today.

Then when P. Ramlee came along as Penarek Becha with his gang of Bujang Lapok I was fascinated with this man who composed, directed and even acted in his own movies.

REGAL RECORDS - A P. RAMLEE CLASSIC LONG PLAY

The evergreens in these two LPs may interest some readers who want to listen to this great man. Like John Lennon said, "Before Elvis there was nothing." Likewise in Malay pop music in Singapore and Malaya, "Before Ramlee, there was nothing."

Getaran Jiwa is P. Ramlee, one of the best songs composed by him. Together with S. Sudarmaji, other songs that are pleasant to listen and meaningful would be Barang Yang Lepas Jangan Di Kenang, Sabar, Kesah Rumah Tangga and Sepanjang Riwayat Ku.

He has his humorous side too and Aci Aci Buka Pintu (one of my favourites), Lanang Tunang Ta Jadi (by Kassim Masdor and my good friend Yusnor Ef), Ai Ai, Ai Twist, Sabarudin Tukang Kasot, Ting Tara Tilalla and Nujum Pa'Belalang would put anyone, who understands Malay, in stitches!

LP Reference: EMI/Regal: SREG 9801/2.

Image/original article: 

Andy Lim Collection.

(1) P Ramlee & Saloma Air Mata Di K. Lumpur

***********************************************While searching for some Singapore pop 60s malay records, two P. Ramlee LPs surfaced. The first vinyl is Air Mata di Kuala Lumpur, the last song he composed before he passed away.

On Side One, Saloma, his wife, sings the title track followed by Anak-ku Sazali, Jeritan Batinku, Jangan Tinggal Daku and Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti. On Side Two, Ramlee and Saloma sing, Uda Dan Dara, Hanya Angan Angan, Ku Kehilangan Kanda, Nasibnya Manusia and Gelora.

Many of the songs on this LP are from Ramlee's movies and have been hits on the Malayan pop charts in the 50s and 60s. These classics are still being played today. All songs are composed by Ramlee except Uda Dan Dara with lyrics by Usman Awang.

In his short but dynamic career in the local entertainment scene, Tan Sri P. Ramlee directed 54 films, acted in 62 films, wrote 359 songs and sang more than 200 of them. If any P. Ramlee and Saloma enthusiast is willing to contribute more information on this record please do so.

Pop Melayu 60an - The Fever Never Dies

Tuesday May 13, 2008. The 60's fever never dies. By: Nik Naizi Husin.

KUANTAN: The Malay songs of the 60s remain fresh despite the onset of the contemporary music scene which is largely monopolised by pop songs...

The Government, in ensuring that classical Malay songs are not forgotten, is now targeting youths. To realise the mission, RTM, through its Klasik FM radio station, has been broadcasting songs from entertainers such as the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee (image), Puan Sri Saloma, Datuk Ahmad Jais, Datuk Sharifah Aini, Salamiah Hassan and Lilis Suryani who contributed in popularising the classic Malay songs.

“Our intention is to promote the interest among youths on Malay oldies, their lyrics and musical instrument used at that time and also the stars who made the songs popular. In the music scene, big names such as P. Ramlee and Saloma cannot be forgotten.

They still have followers and fans and some young singers preferred to sing their songs because of the beautiful composition of the songs,” said a TV Malaysia) Director. He said the mission was also an appreciation to the songwriters, composers, artistes and musicians.

The above article was written to promote a singing competition that created an awareness for 60's Malay music stars.

From: The Star Online, Malaysia.