Superb album of early tracks from Malaysia's greatest singer, recorded for the Musicland label, as opposed to EMI. Some with Latin rhythms, some more crooner style, others rock 'n' roll and mostly with a strong Malay flavour. Quite different from his later film output.
18 track compilation of some of P.Ramlee's greatest film tunes, some performed by and in duet with the equally wonderful Saloma. Most tracks are of the crooner variety with some Latin, jazz, Arabic and Malay influences. Price: £17.99
Compilation of P.Ramlee recorded at the height of his powers. Rock, mambo, Malay traditional and jazz are combined into a rich sound, great songs, wonderful singing from P.Ramlee and some in duet with Saloma. Quite simply, the cream of Malaysian music.
P. Ramlee is Malaysia's greatest ever recording star. In the age of the 1950s crooners, he sung Malaysian folk repertroire with a dance hall orchestra and latin flavors. He revolutionised traditional Malay singing, beginning as a playback singer, before becoming a leading actor during the 1950s. He appeared in some 63 films, singing more than 200 songs. This fantastic CD is of 12 tracks is of his biggest hits including Jangan Tinggal Daku and Putus Sudah Kasih Sayang. Price: £15.99
P.Ramlee had a wide appeal in Malaysia, attracting both Malay and non-Malay audiences, rural and urban. The music draws on Malay asli, inang, joget, masri, zapin and keroncong repertory. The film songs incorporated many western musical elements and western instruments such as trumpet, trombone, clarinet, sax, violin, accordion and percussion gradually replaced all the traditional ones. P.Ramlee sang in a crooning style adding vibrato. Latin American dances such as the samba, beguine and cha-cha-cha were popularized through films. 12 tracks including Jangan Tinggal Daku (from Ibu Mertua Ku) Putus Sudah Kasih Sayang, Azizah (from Penarik Beca) Gelora (from Bujang Lapok) and Do Re Mi.
Another briliant collection. More lighthearted, bright and breezy with electric guitar added to the Malay elements. P.Ramlee lived and worked in Singapore before returning to Kuala Lumpur where he died in 1973. A towering figure of Malay music, still today heralded as Malaysia's greatest ever singer. Price: £15.99
Double album of P.Ramlee film songs and duets with Saloma. The packaging includes some rare bromide photos. Film songs derived from the Malaysian social dances, incorporated Western elements, and spawned new terms such as joget baru (new joget) and masri modern (modern masri). New Latin American dances were added to the mix such as samba, bolero and mambo with a local flavour maintained through the song texts. Excellent overview.
Greatest hits collection from the father of Malaysian song. From nostalgic,vintage Malay tunes with a jazz and latin influence to others under the spell of rock n roll. Classic music. Price: £18.99
Following the second world war Malaysian popular music developed alongside films. The most popular singer of all was P.Ramlee, who appeared in over 60 films and sung more than 200 songs. His films and songs appealed to everyone in Malaysia from rural and urban areas, Malay and non-Malay. The music derived from various Malay traditions and dances such as asli, joget, and keroncong. Western instrumentation replaced most of the traditional instruments and singers tended to adopt the crooning style of their Hollywood peers. This best of album also features the female version of P. Ramlee (and also his wife) Saloma. It's this music that went on to influence the modern pop and roots crossover artists such as Siti Nurhaliza or Sheila Majid. Still very popular today and a legend of Malay music.
Saloma is the greatest female singer in Malaysian music history. The wife of P.Ramlee she had numerous hits and starred alongside her husband in many classic films. On this best of compilation she sings both pop and more traditional songs. These songs include some Chinese Middle Eastern and Hindustani flavours, echoing the cultural mixture of Malaysia itself. Price: £17.99
