'The Swallows' Blog From France By Erwin Maisch

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Here it is at last, a blog about The Swallows, Singapore's top Pop Yeh Yeh band from the 60s. It comes all the way from France, written and compiled by good friend Erwin Maisch.

Thank you Erwin. I hope fans of The Swallows will check out your blog here:

http://kassimslamattheswallows.blogspot.com/

Images: from Erwin Maisch's blog.

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'Kopi Susu' With 'La Colegiala' Sandra Reemer

Saturday, May 14, 2011

She was of Dutch, Chinese and Javanese extraction and born in Bandung, Indonesia on Oct 17, 1950. Barbara Alexandra (Xandra) Reemer loved to sing as a child but it was only after the family moved to the Netherlands (Holland) in 1958 that she started to participate in singing competitions.

Her chance came when young Sandra (X became S) appeared on the famous Katholieke RadioOmroep (KRO) show in April 1962. Her performance was quickly noticed by well-known bandleader and talent scout Frans Kerkhof who took her to Philips Records for an audition.

By the middle of 1962, the twelve year old Sandra shot to stardom with her Dutch version of Al Di La. She also became popular with her extensive repertoire which included Indonesian Malay songs. When she recorded some of these folksy favorites, listeners took an immediate liking as they became very popular.

Sandra has made herself known more as a songstress from the Netherlands than one from Indonesia, having represented the country three times at the internationally famous Eurovision Song Contest. The years were 1974, 1976 and 1979 and she sang, When It Comes To Love (in Dutch), The Party's Over and Colorado respectively during the shows.

Her hit songs that had spread far and wide in Singapore, Malaya and the Far East included songs in Dutch and Indonesian. Some of the Indonesian Malay titles are: Kopi Susu (Coffee And Milk), Nona Nona Djaman Sekarang (Today's Modern Ladies), Kapal Ladju (Speed, Boat!), Indonesia and Singapura.

As the years rolled along, successful Sandra stood tall and was soon in the same league with countrymen and stalwarts Anneke Gronloh, The Blue Diamonds, Johnny Lion and The Jumping Jewels. The Indo/Dutch invasion of Singapore had begun. Listen to her sing 'La Colegiala' on the right bar. The word means 'schoolgirl' in Spanish. Hot, Hot, >>

The maturity, style and sophistication are evident in Reemer's voice. The La Colegiala has gone a long way since Kopi Susu. This 'nona' is truly 'zaman sekarang.'

(Check Wikipedia in Dutch: Reemer's biography after the 70s.)
Images: Universal Music, Singapore/Google images.
Information: Wikipedia and Questing Bandstand.

Edited by: Andy Lim.

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The Singapore General Election 2011: Vote Wisely, Vote With Care On Election Day: 1955 Advice

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

SONGS I LOVE:

(This posting is not a propaganda to vote for any party.)

Radio broadcast coming from Malaya was nothing special and many Singaporeans listen to the news and entertainment provided. So when the Malayan elections were about to be held on July 27th in 1955, announcements were common. It wasn't the election that attracted me but the song, composed by a humorous, radio personality called Zainal Alam.

He had a successful career in broadcasting in Malaya and to improve himself took up a Government Management Program in the USA. According to a website, "his course-mate friend was John F. Kennedy" who later became the President.

Besides Malay, Zainal speaks the local languages and dialects. He peppers his songs using colloquial catch phrases that everybody understands. One of these songs I love was Vote, Vote, Vote. I searched in vain but could not find the English version of this very popular song. It was an attractive jingle and played like a commercial day and night before election time, encouraging the populace to vote wisely. Perhaps someone in Singapore could compose an election song with just as serious a message but palatable for local consumption?

Below is part of the English version which I could remember. The Malay version is on the right side-bar. And the message is clear. Whether it's the American citizen choosing Barack Obama for his second presidential term or our Singaporean selecting a candidate for Parliament, remember to: "Vote wisely, vote with care because once you vote there is no 'lagi sa-kali' (one more time)." Anyone has the full English version?

The Voting Song (English version: Zainal Alam)

Vote vote vote

Everybody vote

Remember 27th is the day (change to: the 7th of May)

Don't forget

That you must not delay

Vote wisely vote with care

Everybody vote

When you vote You must vote wisely

What people say

You 'jangan peduli' (don't bother)

Use your head

Think very carefully

Because once you vote

There is no 'lagi sa-kali' (one more time)

Image: http://shawbrother.multiply.com/journal/item/1

SINGAPORE GENERAL ELECTIONS: 2011

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Rudyn Impian Bateks Kugiran Garage Pop 60an

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Pop songs with car themes were blazing the Top Hit Charts in the US in the 60s especially with the Beach Boys Fun, Fun, Fun. Similarly our local pop stars did the same. Malay singer Rudyn *al-haj (image 3) is associated with his well-known hit Naik Kreta Ku (Drive With Me) or literally translated, 'Hop Into My Car.' He made this particular recording with Cosdel (CEP 3009 - image 4) and backed by his own group The Bateks (as in kain batek or sarong material).

After some changes within the group and because of unavoidable circumstances they joined forces with another called D'Impians (dreamers) and formed The Impian Bateks (Indonesian spelling: batik - image 2). This group was just as popular outside the Malay community playing western music.

Having an academic degree was rare in the 60s but Rudyn was one of those who had a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Temple University in the U.S. Rudyn whose full name was Khairudin Haji Hashim, besides singing Pop-yeh-yeh music with his group, also served as a Planning Officer for Sabah Film Production. In November, 2007 Rudyn passed away in his hometown at Johore Bahru, Malaysia. He was 61 years young.

Music and lyrics for Naik Kreta Ku was by Rudyn himself while the other three, Selendang Hitam (The Black Veil), Terima-lah Lagu Ku (Please Accept My Song) and Berjumpa (Meeting) were originals by The Impian Bateks. Did Rudyn cut another record with a group called The Falcons singing Naik Kereta Baru (Hope In My New Car) , Bukan Salah Ku (Not My Fault), Pengembara (Wanderer/Vagabond) and Selamat Hari Raya (celebration after fasting month)?

The Impian Bateks were as popular under their own banner with previous recordings (Cosdel CEP 3005) like: Gadis Sekolah (School Girl), Wanita (Woman), Siapa Juwita (Who's That Girl) and Mengapah (Why). Another recording with Panda (YHEP 111) had Dari Ku Untok Mu (From Me To You), Guru Baru (New Teacher), Sekolah Ku (My School) and Oh Posmen (Oh Postman).

Song themes were typical teenage angst and school girl crushes. Pen-pals were also actively pursued by our youngsters and a record cover (image 1) that looks like an addressed envelope with stamps could sell. "Ku rindu pada mu, Ku ingin bertemu selalu... (I am lovesick and wish to meet you often...)"

Both Rudyn and TIB were a force to reckon with in the Pop-yeh-yeh 60s era. They stood among the top Malay artistes then and their wide popularity spread across Singapore, Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. If you are familiar with them, please contribute more information.

SOME SLEEVES SPEAK (MALAY):

"Rudyn al-haj ada-lah sa-orang penyanyi berbakat dewasa ini, yang munchul di-tengah kemainan lagu2 pop yang pesat. Dengan kugiran Impian Bateks Rudyn al-haj menyanyi dengan gaya dan suara yang tersendiri. Rudyn berjaya menawan hati peminat pop dengan bentok lagu yang tersendiri.

Rudyn al-haj ada-lah bekas ahli kugiran yang kini sudah tiada lagi, tetapi Rudyn berjaya dalam usaha-nya merakamkan empat buah lagu2 pop pujaan ramai." Sharikat Cosdel Singapura. (Record back sleeve cover). Kalau kenal kugiran ini, harap beri maklumat.

*Term used for a muslim who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Information/Images: radiodiffusion.wordpress.com

Image: FORD 1907 Model R/Universal Cars Ltd, Singapore

Translated information about Rudyn: Malay Wikipedia.

Article: compiled by Andy Lim.

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Lokananta Studio: Indonesia's Abbey Road: 4th Asian Games Souvenir Vinyls Feature Moluccas Songs

Sunday, January 30, 2011

(Images: a 10-inch LP, one in a series of 4 distributed during the 4th Asian Games in Djakarta in 1962.)

While I was posting the last few articles about Jimmy Linchong and a song from the Moluccas, I remember my few pieces of 10-inch Long Play records that I have, pressed by the famous Lokananta (literal: heavenly gamelan without drums) label. They are precious and not easily available in the market. And as I rummaged again feverishly through my cupboard I found four. One of them (image 2) contains the song Ajo Mama (j is pronounced yerh in Indonesian).

According to a website (internet address below), the Lokananta studio (image 1,2) in Indonesia is as famous as the one in Abbey Road, Westminster, London. It is the first Indonesian music label, founded in Solo, Central Java. Since its inception, Lokananta has been producing and duplicating records and audio cassette tapes.

When it started in 1958, the records were marketed through the RRI (Republic Rayat Indonesia). As the label reached its state enterprise status, the company activities included: administering, recording, broadcasting, printing and publishing.

Lokananta has thousands of songs from all over Indonesia in its treasure trove and its vast collection encompasses folk, ethnic, world and pop music. So there is keroncong, Javanese gamelan, Balinese, Sundanese, Batak (North Sumatra) and other regional music.

This vast music collection includes many recordings of famous singers from Indonesia. Master tracks in the studio contain songs from legendary composers and singers like Gesang, Waljinah, Titiek Puspa, Bing Slamet, and Sam Saimun. Lokananta has more than 5,000 such track recordings of local songs. Besides songs, state speeches of the late President Sukarno are kept.

Aside: Controversies abound regarding the well-known song Rasasayange. According to the same web-site, this song, together with other Indonesian folk songs, can be found on a single master-track in the Lokananta studios. It is claimed by a certain country as its original folk song but is actually an original from the Moluccas.

Record Detail:

Part One - Tracks on Side One: Dari Barat Sampai Ke Timur, Ba Bendi-bendi, Seringgit Dua Kupang, Ajo Mama, Side Two: Potong Bebek Angsa, Sarinande, Lenggang-Lengang Kangkung, Kaparinjo. Orkes Lokanada, pimpinan B. Y. Supardi.

The original and detailed version can be found in the website below:
http://www.reviewing-blogs.blogspot.com/2010/05/lokananta-indonesian-abbey-road.html
Record Cover image: Andy Lim Collection.

(Because of copyright, I have deleted the two photographs showing the recording studios and replaced them with the image of my own personal copy of the album I discussed. You can see the studio images on JGP 4838 Flickr.)

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