Ismail Haron: Vigilantes, Guys, Anita (Part II)

Part Two:

In 1970, Ismail Haron went solo with his first EP under EMI titled Kehilangan Chinta (Without Love). As the year progressed, he took a break from recording and for a few months did live shows in Hong Kong.

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By this time, he was under the management of Quill Organisation. They decided to form a group and had Roland and Eddie from The Guys, saxophone player Andrew Oh from Pink and Purple, John Choo with keyboard, saxaphone and percussionist Philip Koh from The Blackjacks.

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They were even spotted by Robert Stigwood who was manager of Bee Gees and ex-Cream. They played in Bangkok at Montieth and at Udon Thani further North. Udon was a US base and they were playing in clubs for US soldiers and officers.When they came back to Singapore, they continued playing the clubs in 1971 and 1972. The band changed members again a few times.

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Finally the group broke up but Ismail continued to record a few more solo albums: Ismail Haron & Maria (1972), Ilham Pujangga (1972), Ismail Haron (1972), Antara Pujangga Dan Insan Biasa (1973), Sutra Mulia (1974), Hulurkan Tangan (1975) and Potret Sindiran (1975).

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Among his popular hits within this period were Dendam-ku Kerana Maria (I Did What I Did For Maria), Antara Anak Dan Ayah (My Boy), Tolong Damai-kan (Mammy Blue), Ilham Pujangga, Wati, Persembahan-ku, Hey Hey Sunny, Junainah, Kehilangan Chinta and Apa Khabar Sayang (Hello Darling). Again the songs were English hits with Malay lyrics, a trend that put local artistes in the popularity charts.

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Between 1972 and 1976, Ismail Haron recorded a few duets with diva Anita Sarawak. The songs included Kesah Dol Di-Suatu Petang, Rahsia Mu Rahsia Ku (Sealed With A Kiss), Wanita Dan Pakaian and Pemain Piano on EMI/S-EGEP 750. Also, Alam Terpuja (You Make Me Feel Brand New), Janji Tetap Janji (My Girl), Gabus Tarbus (House Of Bamboo), Rahsia Di-Ayer Jerneh and Menunggu Nasi Minyak.

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Another EP had: Keluarga Bahagia, Tiada Jodoh, Asmara and even La Aube, the Kassim Selamat greatest hit on (EIM/S-EGEP. 781). Music compositions for EMI recordings were usually by Reggie Verghese.

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Many thanks to the writer who provided this very extensive article on Ismail Haron's music career and vinyl recordings.

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Image/Vinyl Info/Edits: Andy Lim.

Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail_Haron