♬ Nasihat Untuk Kawan

I’ve been meaning to update the previous post on Kugiran Irama Perindu for some time now, but I figured I’d just do a whole new post. Over the past year or so, I’ve been corresponding with Merv Espina - my contact for Brunei. Merv has been researching Gema Dari Menara (Voice from the Minaret) - the only motion picture produced in Brunei. In the process, our research has overlapped uncovering Brunei’s lost rock and roll history.

In 1962, A. M. Azahari was the leader of the Parti Rakyat Brunei - or Brunei People's Party. PRB rejected the proposed federation with Malaysia. This opposition led to the failed Brunei Rebellion, which resulted in a strict curfew period from 1962 to 1965. During that time, many musicians moved to Singapore - which would explain why almost all of the earlier records from Brunei were on the Olympic label. But between lifting of the curfew in 1965 and Pengiran Kamaluddin, who was also responsible for initiating Gema Dari Menara's production, stepping down as the head of Department of Religious Affairs in the 1970s, there was a small window. It was during that brief period that rock and roll happened in Brunei.

There were only two bands in Brunei: Dendang Teruna and Kugiran Irama Perindu. There were also a few musicians who recorded with bands from Malaysia and Singapore - like Hussen Hj Tuah. But Dendang Teruna - to the best of anyone's knowledge - never recorded. They did perform regularly on Brunei Radio and were featured in the film Gema Dari Menara (as seen in this still from the video transfer). But, Kugiran Irama Perindu recorded three singles before Dayangku Aminah left the band to go solo.

The personnel of Kugiran Irama Perindu - as seen on the cover of their first single - is as follows: Standing up, wearing the white jackets is Jafar - whose last name or title is unknown(bass) and Sari Hj Besar (guitar). Seated is Norsiah A. Hamid (vocals), Awangku Tajuddin (vocals), Awangku Yussof (drums) and Dayangku Aminah (vocals). A quick note about Brunei honorific titles: Awangku (Ak), for the men, and Dayangku (Dk), for the women, are titles bestowed on unmarried individuals connected to the royal bloodline. Once married, they adopt the title Pengiran (Pg). All of the members of the band were all single when the first Kugiran Irama Perindu EP came out, but soon after Pg Tajuddin married Norsiah A. Hamid. They both recorded - together and separately - with The Sandpipers, The Sand Blues and Kugiran Irama Perindu. The couple are featured on the cover on this single.

The Three'ngers • מי אם לא אלוהים + מי מפחד מגברת לוין [Israel] 11.29.09 • 12.05.09

Super Boiro Band • Sibida [Guinea] 11.22.09 • 11.28.09

The Aces •  [Burma] 11.15.09 • 11.21.09

Mavi Çocuklar • Develi Daylar [Turkey] 11.08.09 • 11.14.09

L'Harmonie Voltaïque • Killa Naa Naa Ye Killa [Upper Volta] 11.01.09 • 11.07.09

กังวาลไพร-ลูกเพชร • วอนผีพ่อ [Thailand] 10.26.09 • 10.31.09

Jalil Bennis et Les Golden Hands • Mirza [Morocco] 10.18.09 • 10.25.09

A. E. Manoharan & L. R. Eswar • Pattu Mamiye [Sri Lanka] 10.11.09 • 10.17.09

Hi-Fives • Belina Mon Amour [Zaïre] 10.04.09 • 10.10.09

Two Ace • 미 + 마음은 날개 [South Korea] 09.27.09 • 10.03.09

BLO • Trace of Suicide [Nigeria] 09.20.09 • 09.26.09

Assa'd Khoury • title unknown [Syria] 09.13.09 • 09.19.09

Dayangku Aminah • Menungga Kepulangan Mu [Brunei] 09.06.09 • 09.12.09

Wendyifraw Weretta • Fikri Hesum [Eritrea] 08.30.09 • 09.05.09

Band De-Fictions • Hidup Untok Chinta + Jenaka Si-Iseng [Malaysia] 08.23.09 • 08.29.09

Taroub • Susma Susma Susma [Lebanon] 08.16.09 • 08.22.09

Audio Rama Orchestra National • My Love [Côte d'Ivoire] 08.09.09 • 08.15.09

The Brothers Hawk • Let's Do The Funky [Singapore] 08.02.09 • 08.08.09

Ojoobeha • Dar Aseman Ashq-e-man + Shirley [Iran] 07.26.09 • 08.01.09

Alemayehu Borobor & The Walias • Tez Aleng Hagere [Ethiopia] 07.19.09 • 07.25.09

K. Viseth •  [Laos] 07.12.09 • 07.18.09

Abdel Monim Madboly • Tayeb Ya Sabr Tayeb [Egypt] 07.05.09 • 07.11.09

Mounir Mourad • The Factory Theme [Egypt] 06.28.09 • 07.04.09

Orchestre Anassoa Jazz de Parakou • Winoukin [Dahomey] 06.28.09 • 07.04.09

Barum Kumar Pal • Raju Chal Raju [India] 06.21.09 • 06.27.09

Sedeek Metwaly • Zalamouni Zalamouni [Sudan] 06.14.09 • 06.20.09

สุริยาฟ้าปทุม • น้องเหมือนชะนี + ลาน้องไปแนวหน้า [Thailand] 06.07.09 • 06.13.09

The Panthers • Malkaus+ Bihag [Pakistan] 05.31.09 • 06.06.09

Le Diamono • M'Diaye Kandiourane [Senegal] 05.24.09 • 05.30.09

Band 4 Nada • Carilah Kawan Yang Lain + Bunga Di Tepi Jalan [Indonesia] 05.17.09 • 05.23.09

Ağri Daği Efsanesi • Deli Gönül Neylersin [Turkey] 05.10.09 • 05.16.09

John Wirtz and Les Boys • Malheur L'Arac [Seychelles] 05.03.09 • 05.09.09

Le Kéné-Star De Sikasso • Fitiriwale [Mali] 04.26.09 • 05.02.09

The Hi-Jacks • Rockin' The Jacks + Sleepy Head [Philippines] 04.19.09 • 04.25.09

Jil Jdid • El Wali (Part 1) + El Wali (Part 2) [Morocco] 04.12.09 • 04.18.09

Gypsies • [Sri Lanka] 04.05.09 • 04.11.09

Rossisendi & His Group • Ururabo [Rwanda] 03.29.09 • 04.04.09

Playboy Group • + [Burma] 03.22.09 • 03.28.09

Oрэрa • Aдaндaли + Кacкaбeллa [Georgia] 03.15.09 • 03.21.09

John Kenneth Nelson • Z'Enfant Misère [Mauritius] 03.08.09 • 03.14.09

리인숙 • 원제나당중앙우러러 [North Korea] 03.01.09 • 03.07.09

Omnya (Peace Band) • Yendam [Tunisia] 02.22.09 • 02.28.09

Les Kilts • Jerk Bastos [Cameroon] 02.15.09 • 02.21.09

Sinn Sisamouth • The Favourite Belonging of The Heart [Cambodia] 02.08.09 • 02.14.09

Ros Sereysothea • The Star of My Heart [Cambodia] 02.08.09 • 02.14.09

Jacques Kodjian • Bektob Ismak + Bent El Shalabiya [Lebanon] 02.01.09 • 02.07.09

Tezera Haile Michael • Ayitchat Neber [Ethiopia] 01.25.09 • 01.31.09

Hūng Cuōng & Mai Lệ Huyên̅ • Thiên Duyên Tièn Định [Vietnam] 01.18.09 • 01.24.09

Agraw • Tfuk Tufra [Algeria] 01.11.09 • 01.17.09

Orchestre Black Dragons • Se Drjo + E Sa F'Aiye [Dahomey] 01.04.09 • 01.10.09

The Travellers • 王小二拜年 / 賀新年 + 恭喜恭喜 / 迎春花 [Singapore] 12.28.08 • 01.03.09

Jayram Acharya • Jingle Bells + Santa Claus Is Coming To Town [India] 12.21.08 • 12.27.08

Uzi & The Styles • Morning Train [Israel] 12.14.08 • 12.20.08

วงดนตรีมาริเนอร์ • The Lover Song of Thailand [Thailand] 12.07.08 • 12.13.08

Docteur Nico & L'Orchestre African Fiesta • Save Me + Sookie [Zaïre] 11.30.08 • 12.06.08

The Bugs • Theme to "Do Raha" [Pakistan] 11.23.08 • 11.29.08

A. Romzi dan The Hooks • Dendang Remaja [Malaysia] 11.16.08 • 11.22.08

Hassan Abou Seoud • Salametha Oum Hassan[Egypt] 11.09.08 • 11.15.08

Negash Tekie • Atibreie [Eritrea] 11.02.08 • 11.08.08

Mulugeta Tlahun & Negash Tekie • Yewyen Abebaie [Eritrea] 11.02.08 • 11.08.08

The Spiders • Evil Ways [Singapore] 10.26.08 • 11.01.08

Golden Ring •  +  [Iran] 10.19.08 • 10.25.08

Kélétigui et ses Tambourins • Miri Magnin [Guinea] 10.12.08 • 10.18.08

 The Electromaniacs • España Cani [Philippines] 10.05.08 • 10.11.08

Erol Büyükburç • Sana Muhtalhin + Alaaddinin Sihirli Lambası [Turkey] 09.28.08 • 10.04.08

Pat Thomas & Marijata • I Need More [Ghana] 09.21.08 • 09.27.08

Key Boys • 해변으로가요 [South Korea] 09.14.08 • 09.20.08

Imazighene • Ighousse Oulinou [Morocco] 09.07.08 • 09.13.08

Charanjit Singh • Hey Muhje Dil De + Lekar Ham Diwana Dil [India] 08.31.08 • 09.06.08

Urbano De Castro • Xala-Kiambot [Angola] 08.24.08 • 08.30.08

The Spacemen • Swim Swim Swim + Che Che Che [Japan] 08.17.08 • 08.23.08

Abdel Karim El Kabli • Khaal Fatma + Elleil Aa'd [Sudan] 08.10.08 • 08.16.08

Lalith Mendis • Lanka Babu [Sri Lanka] 08.03.08 • 08.09.08

J. Geron • Bilo Lolo [Liberia] 07.27.08 • 08.02.08

Hussein Hj. Tuah & D'Acrobat's J.B. • Malam Pesta [Brunei] 07.20.08 • 07.26.08

BИA «Ялла» • Это Любовь [Uzbekistan] 07.13.08 • 07.19.08

Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel • Wara [Mali] 07.06.08 • 07.12.08

Cai Mi Mi & Five Petals Guitar Band • A Bird Like To Play [Taiwan] 06.29.08 • 07.05.08

Adiss Harmandyan • Nune [Armenia] 06.22.08 • 06.28.08

Seyoum Gèbrèyès • Hametegnaw [Ethiopia] 06.15.08 • 06.21.08

Trio Bintang • Putri Malu + Abunawas [Indonesia] 06.08.08 • 06.14.08

Shula Chen • Al Tashir Le'af Achat Acheret [Israel] 06.01.08 • 06.07.08

El Rego et Ses Commandos • Vi Man Do Wingnan [Dahomey] 05.25.08 • 05.31.08

Sohail Rana • The Khyber Twist + The Luddee Twist [Pakistan] 05.18.08 • 08.24.08

Phương Tām • Đêm Huyēn Diệ [Vietnam] 05.11.08 • 05.17.08

Zia • To Yast Men Kasee Baman [Iran] 05.04.08 • 05.10.08

Ato Atowebrhan Seghid • Bekutaki Wolel [Eritrea] 04.27.08 • 05.03.08

The Barons • Setia + Teroda [Malaysia] 04.20.08 • 04.26.08

Gökçen Kaynatan • Beyoǧlunda Gezersin [Turkey] 04.13.09 • 04.19.08

Uta Bella • Kekeh [Cameroon] 04.06.08 • 04.12.08

Kazi Aniruddha • Main Hoon Pyar Tera [India] 03.30.08 • 04.05.08

Kazi Arindam • Fever [India] 03.30.08 • 04.05.08

The Son of P.M. • Heh Klong Yao [Thailand] 03.23.08 • 03.29.08

Damascus Music Group • Nadia [Syria] 03.16.08 • 03.22.08

National Horoya Band • Karan-Gbegne + Karangba [Guinea] 03.09.08 • 03.15.08

Pearl Sisters • 그럴수가없어요 + 안녕 [South Korea] 03.02.08 • 03.08.08

Fawez • Shish Bourak [Lebanon] 02.24.08 • 03.01.08

Hilarion Nguema et L’Orchestre “Afro Succes” • Libreville [Gabon] 02.17.08 • 02.23.08

The Stylers • Dragon Theme + Stupid Cupid [Singapore] 02.10.08 • 02.16.08

Les Frères Megri • El Harib [Morocco] 02.03.08 • 02.09.08

Sebastien Marini • Fatou Boling [Zaïre] 01.27.08 • 02.02.08

Ros Sereysothea & Sinn Sisamouth • Grief Over Dark Night [Cambodia] 01.20.08 • 01.26.08

Ros Sereysothea • A Star Like You Darling [Cambodia] 01.20.08 • 01.26.08

Omar Khorshid • Hebbina Hebbina + Rahbaniyat [Egypt] 01.13.08 • 01.19.08

Ngozi Family • Chisoni Kwanzatu Azimbabwe [Zambia] 01.06.08 • 01.12.08

Teresa Teng • (Wishing You) Well In The New Year [Taiwan] 12.30.07 • 01.05.08

The Tropicano • Jingle Bells + Frosty The Snowman [Singapore] 12.23.07 • 12.29.07

Ƨyнeɯ • Невестки + Девушка [Turkmenistan] 12.16.07 • 12.22.07

Alèmayehu Eshété • Ittu Gela [Ethiopia] 12.09.07 • 12.15.07

The Fat & The Thin • What Will Be [Israel] 12.02.07 • 12.08.07

Elvis Phương • Van Em (thất tình 2) [Vietnam] 11.25.07 • 12.01.07

Voz De Cabo Verde • Frá Broque [Cape Verde] 11.18.07 • 11.24.07

The Silhouettes • Bhavayia + Hodge Podge [Pakistan] 11.11.07 • 11.17.07

Orchestre Picoby-Band • Honton Ve Zou [Dahomey] 11.04.07 • 11.10.07

The Vampires • Cold Rain Song [Singapore] 10.28.07 • 11.03.07

Black Cats • Marcella [Iran] 10.21.07 • 10.27.07

Guéhi Jean et son Ensemble • Essemon Moupoh [Côte d'Ivoire] 10.14.07 • 10.20.07

Rachmat Kartolo • Kunanti Djawabmu + Kuma'afkan [Indonesia] 10.07.07 • 10.13.07

The Tremolos • Crazy Girl [India] 09.30.07 • 10.06.07

3 Hür El • Sevenler Ağlarmış [Turkey] 09.23.07 • 09.29.07

Os Alegres • Wenda Solá [Angola] 09.16.07 • 09.22.07

Chanthara Outansakda • Love You Lonely [Laos] 09.09.07 • 09.15.07

Mohamed «Mike» Hegazi • Hebbena + Nouni [Lebanon] 09.02.07 • 09.08.07

Dan Satch & His Atomic 8 Dance Band of Aba • Woman Pin Down [Nigeria] 08.26.07 • 09.01.07

The Planets • The Chase + Dreams of the Past [Malaysia] 08.19.07 • 08.25.07

Mohammed Hanesh • Sidi Mansour [Tunisia] 08.12.07 • 08.18.07

Fabulous Moonstones • Dunhinda Manamali [Sri Lanka] 08.05.07 • 08.11.07

Green Arrows • Ndarota Ndina Amai [Rhodesia] 07.29.07 • 08.04.07

Ronnie Villar and The Firedons • Mi Corazon [Philippines] 07.22.07 • 07.28.07

Ja’afar Hassan • Oh, What A Joy + Once A Day [Iraq] 07.15.07 • 07.21.07

Sextet Camayenne • Kanimba [Guinea] 07.08.07 • 07.14.07

He5 • 외로운태양 [South Korea] 07.01.07 • 07.07.07

Baligh Hamdi • Zouba [Egypt] 06.24.07 • 06.30.07

Siagbo Dieudonne Eddie • Celibataire [Togo] 06.17.07 • 06.23.07

Bunnys • Flying Guitar [Japan] 06.10.07 • 06.16.07

Sharp Five • Golden Guitar [Japan] 06.10.07 • 06.16.07

Ouiness • Zina [Morocco] 06.03.07 • 06.09.07

Menelik Wossenachew • Mekaberene Liyew [Ethiopia] 05.27.07 • 06.02.07

The Mods • Spring Dance + Bondure [Pakistan] 05.20.07 • 05.26.07

Philippines Five Sisters • Happy Dance [Hong Kong] 05.13.07 • 05.19.07

Arik & The Einsteins • Night of Roses [Israel] 05.06.07 • 05.12.07

D’Almeida Blucky et Les Black Santiago • Les Nanes [Dahomey] 04.29.07 • 05.05.07

Pocket Music • Klong Yao + Sroi Sang Dang [Thailand] 04.22.07 • 04.28.07

Rachid et Fethi • Habit-En Ïch [Algeria] 04.15.07 • 04.21.07

Sunil Ganguly • Are Diwano Mujhe Pehchano [India] 04.08.07 • 04.14.07

Les Safari • Elle Avait Tout [Madagascar] 04.01.07 • 04.07.07

Kugiran Irama Perindu • Rindu [Brunei] 03.25.07 • 03.31.07

Haramiler • Adanali [Turkey] 03.18.07 • 03.24.07

Madico • Angola Uhuru [Kenya] 03.11.07 • 03.17.07

Dara Puspita • Pudjaan Hati + Pip Pip Jeah [Indonesia] 03.04.07 • 03.10.07

Manouchehr • Vadeye Dour Dour Nemikham [Iran] 02.25.07 • 03.03.07

Super Eagles Band • Sock It To Me + Tribute To Otis Redding [Gambia] 02.18.07 • 02.24.07

Wu Jin Lan • I Love You A' Go Go [Taiwan] 02.11.07 • 02.17.07

Boкaльньiй Kвapтет „ГAЯ” • Голос Твой [Azerbaijan] 02.04.07 • 02.10.07

Tall Emma & His Skippers • Hammatan [Ghana] 01.28.07 • 02.03.07

The Kopy Kats • Meisi Emu Nega [New Guinea] 01.21.07 • 01.27.07

The Freebeats • Kekeni Ani Mase [New Guinea] 01.21.07 • 01.27.07

Mayada • Ya.. Ya.. Ya  [Lebanon] 01.14.07 • 01.20.07

Ofo The Black Company • Alla Wakbarr - live in East Berlin [Nigeria] 01.07.07 • 01.13.07

The Tones • Golden Lion Greeting the New Year [Singapore] 12.31.06 • 01.06.07

Key Boys • Silent Night + Here Comes Santa Claus [South Korea] 12.24.06 • 12.30.06

David the Red Sea Singer • The Oriental Beat Goes On [Israel] 12.17.06 • 12.23.06

Hūng Cuōng • Hăn̅g Nga Lˡây Chȏn̅g [Vietnam] 12.10.06 • 12.16.06

L’Orchestre Afro Soul System • Adb San Mi Yéyé [Upper Volta] 12.03.06 • 12.09.06

Nisar Bazmi • Pyar Ki Ik Naee [Pakistan] 11.26.06 • 12.02.06

The Spiders • Bam Bam Bam [Japan] 11.19.06 • 11.25.06

Balla et Ses Balladins • Samba [Guinea] 11.12.06 • 11.18.06

Magdy El Hosseini • Arkousi Ya Helwa + L'Ama Badah Ya Tasanna [Egypt] 11.05.06 • 11.11.06

Los Caballeros • Cha Cha Dracula [Malaysia] 10.29.06 • 11.04.06

Damtew Ayele • Wofe Yillala [Ethiopia] 10.22.06 • 10.28.06

Samuel Belay • Keresh Endewaza [Ethiopia] 10.22.06 • 10.28.06

Golden Hands • The First Time [Morocco] 10.15.06 • 10.21.06

The Mustangs • Escape [India] 10.08.06 • 10.14.06

Sinn Sisamouth • Mon Esperance D'Avenir [Cambodia] 10.01.06 • 10.07.06

Mêlomê Clément et L’Orchestre Poly-Rythmo • Ahou Gan Mi An [Dahomey] 09.24.06 • 09.30.06

Les Abranis • Chenar Le Blues [Algeria] 09.17.06 • 09.23.06

Sodsai Chaengkij •โอษิปอด + ลนแศดีฺคฮา[Thailand] 09.10.06 • 09.16.06

Pierre Didy Tchakounte And The Black Tulips • Ma Fou Fou [Cameroon] 09.03.06 • 09.09.06

Rana Alagöz • Bahçelerde Börülce [Turkey] 08.27.06 • 09.02.06

The New Wave • China Night + Man-li [Hong Kong] 08.20.06 • 08.26.06

Les Jockers • Dividi Jane [Madagascar] 08.13.06 • 08.19.06

Munir Bachir • Alouspour Ettaïr [Iraq] 08.06.06 • 08.12.06

Diah Iskander dengan irigan The Steps • Beas Beureum [Indonesia] 07.30.06 • 08.05.06

Les Tabalas • Dérétou Senegal + Initiation [Senegal] 07.23.06 • 07.29.06

Mignonne & The Jetliners • Jeevithe Vasanthaye [Sri Lanka] 07.16.06 • 07.22.06

Eddie Petrosian • Ara Vay Vay [Armenia] 07.09.06 • 07.15.06

Ramon Jacinto & The Riots • Teenstone [Philippines] 07.02.06 • 07.08.06

The Strangers • Onye Ije [Nigeria] 06.25.06 • 07.01.06

Aref • Ay Dokhtar [Iran] 06.18.06 • 06.24.06

Yvonne accompanied by The Sparklers • Let’s Go Gay [Singapore] 06.11.06 • 06.17.06

The Fore Thoughts • Shahbaz Qalander + Jungee [Pakistan] 06.04.06 • 06.10.06

Rift Valley Brothers • Muhiki Waku Nitwendanire [Kenya] 05.28.06 • 06.03.06

The Lions of Juda • Katja [Israel] 05.21.06 • 05.27.06

Đức Minh • Saigon Thứ Bẩy [Vietnam] 05.14.06 • 05.20.06

Thanh Vū, Hôʼng Phủc & Phượg Bắʼng •Tīnh Yêu Trên Đại Dượng [Vietnam]5.14. 0.06 • 05.20.06

Bovic & Orchestre Vévé • Venus [Zaïre] 05.07.06 • 05.13.06

Omar Khorshid and his magic guitar • Raskat El Kheyl [Egypt] 04.30.06 • 05.06.06

The Jaguars • The Legend of Kisanado [Japan] 04.23.06 • 04.29.06

Uele Kalabubu et sa Tribu • Makelele [Republic of the Congo] 04.16.06 • 04.22.06

Les Frères Megri • Kellemtini [Morocco] 04.09.06 • 04.15.06

S. Hazarasingh • Badan Pe Sitare + Chhedo Na Dekho Na [India] 04.02.06 • 04.08.06

Impianbateks • Gadis Sekolah [Malaysia] 03.26.06 • 04.01.06

Mahmoud Ahmed • ? [Ethiopia] 03.19.06 • 03.25.06

The Cedars • For Your Information [Lebanon] 03.12.06 • 03.18.06

Johnny Guitar • Mon Kla + Sri Nuon [Thailand] 03.05.06 • 03.11.06

Orchestre Super Jheevs des Paillotes • Ye Nan Lon An [Dahomey] 02.26.06 • 03.04.06

Mavi Işiklar • Giresun Kayiklari [Turkey] 02.19.06 • 02.25.06

The Telstar Combo • Mama Get Me A Guitar + Clothes of Tears [Taiwan] 02.12.06 • 02.18.06