CDs like the above (image) are re-issues of 60s music recorded previously by our local Singaporean, Malaysian singers and bands who have put in much time and effort to press them on vinyls. Now these compilation CDs are for sale on the internet. Without copyright and free legal advice to help our musicians nothing can really be done to channel the earnings to them. But production of these yesteryear hit collections has been in practise for many years. So who cares anyway.
The writer below explained that the selection was his "favourite find" and he wasn't concerned which of them were hits but rather, which ones appealed to "this pair of western ears." Even the susu chap junjong jingle (Milkmaid Milk advertisment) attracted the writer's western ears. It is given away as a 'bonus' track. Interesting indeed. Perhaps the compilation is done and sold just to cover cost?
(Original article above: Andy Lim.)
Read the story below about this enterprising person who came to Singapore 11 years ago to buy up the vinyls:
“Funny thing happened to me back in 2001, during my first trip to Singapore. I was in a clothing store in Causeway Point, and an old ‘60s tune was blasting out of the stereo speakers. It sounded like your typical ‘60s pop hit, but the lyrics were sung in Malay! I was entranced, and wouldn’t be satisfied to just hear it just once. I spent the rest of my trip combing the local antique stores and flea markets, grabbing all the vinyl I could find.
My first purchase was The Mysterians’ Forget the Time b/w My Girl Les, found at an antique store on Orchard Road. The cover, featuring the band wearing black masks and standing in green background, is such a classic that I spent a few weeks admiring it before finally purchasing a turntable so I could hear it. But when I finally did, lo and behold, an obsession was born.
Nine years and five overseas trips later, my collection now boasts more than 600 rare titles from the region, which also includes Malaysia and Indonesia. In this first volume, I present a handful of my favorite finds. Some of these bands experienced regional success at best, while others disappeared after one or two recordings. Very few left behind any written history.
I didn’t concern myself with which songs were hits, but rather which ones happened to appeal to this pair of western ears. I have included a variety of tunes, from rockers to ballads, covers and originals, all sung in a variety of native languages. A few instrumentals have been thrown in for good measure. Now on to the music, Let's A Go, Go, on Silver Tortoise. CD."
Tracklist:
#1 Flamingo By The Bees, #2 One To Nine Walkin By Patrina, #3 The Second Spring By Hai Fei, #4 Just Because By The Dee-Tees, #5 You've Got To Move On By Leroy Lindsay with The Mysterians.
#6 Mean Woman Blues By Rocky Teoh, #7 The Girl From Alishan By The Blue Beats, #8 Let's A' Go-Go By Charlie and His Go-Go Boys, #9 Oh! Salina By M.Ishak Dengan Five-55, #10 Things We Said Today By S.K. Pauline.
#11 Bang Bang By Betty Chung, #12 Wooly Bully By Charlie and His Go-Go Boys, #13 Then I Kiss Her By Lotus Liew, #14 Mun Li By Orkes Tropicano, #15 Let's Dance By Lotus Liew.
#16 These Boots Are Made For Walkin By Charlie and His Go-Go Boys, #17 Swim Swim Swim (She and I) By The Spacemen, #18 Merindu Kasih By The Click IV Dan Jaffar-O, #19 My Girl Les By The Mysterians, #20 Dream Wonder By The Tones, #21 Beli-lah Susu Chap Junjong (Bonus track) By Malay-Tamil-Malay.
Just wondering. Collecting the vinyls can be an eye-opener because of the art work on the sleeve covers but listening to some of the songs? That is a problem. Not to sure about Betty Chung's, Bang, Bang (side-bar).
Article above flagged by: Mark Wong.
1) Another similar article posted on Sunday, March 14, 2010:
The only EP (Blue Star NE 1014) that I possess of Jimmy Linchong because it was offered to me at a discount and because I remember watching him on television and admired his looks. 
