Malaysia 1995

Doing some post production work in Malaysia in 1995.

ALL GROWN UP

All grown up. That's my brother Bashir feeding my youngest brother Noor cake on his 21st Birthday!
Yep, thats a full 10-years leap from the last post. The thing is, all of us in the band divided our band photographs from over the years amongst ourselves; it's my good guess that the photos from the last ten years are with them.

CHECK OUT THE BELL BOTTOMS - PART II

Check out the bell bottoms! We were performing at VICTORIA THEATRE. Yeah, it's the same Bell Bottoms... Noor is on the congas and percussions, Daniel on Drums (too bad not enough lighting for him), Mike on the left on guitars and Bashir, far right on the Keys....,
Check Noor out in the other photo, he is playing the saxaphone....must've been about 11 or 12 yrs old.

CHECK OUT THE BELL BOTTOMS!!!

Check out the bell bottoms. Definitely late 1970s ('78 or '79 maybe). We used to have custom made outfits....
Oh okay, I know, ...they look a bit.. but then it the "fusion-fashion" (Ethnic tops with western bell-bottom pants)of those days brother!
I was probably doing a solo on the guitar (you can see I am seriously concentrating on my playing); but what are Anand and Mike looking at me for? Either they are impressed or... I'm screwing up the solo!! Hey, even Ravi (Katto) on the Congas (far left) is looking at me!
Hello?!!!

AT A SCHOOL CONCERT - 1978

My classmate Jamal and myself on the guitars.
We were performing during our annual school concert at Raffles Institution.
A sentimental photograph that I am thankful to be in possession of because soon after we left school, Jamal passed away in a very tragic accident, while out on a scouting patrol.

OUR MUSICAL FAMILY- 1978

FROM LEFT : BASHIR, FATHER, MOTHER , NOOR AND ME.
THE HAPPIEST TIMES... No responsibilities; Just study hard, pass the exams and spend the rest of the time enjoying playing music! Noor also learnt how to play the saxaphone, clarinet and flute... besides already playing all percussions and later, Drums of course!!

THE 1970's

My father with his band appearing on a television show. He is sitting with the accordian. I believe its 1969-1970.

VASANTHAM BOYS 1998

Back (L-R) : JOE, BASHIR
Front (L-R) : DANIEL, RAFEE, NOOR
This was our 1998 Latin, Indian Fusion Setup with Daniel on Bass, Bashir on Keyboards, Noor ( Matno) on Drums, Joe on Percussions and me on Guitar and Vocals.

VASANTHAM BOYS AT A CLUB PERFORMANCE - 1991

We were the first pop Indian/Fusion Band in the first Live Indian Club - The TAJ.
By this time I was already arranging, composing and performing for most of the Indian Musical Shows on Singapore Television. Bashir who until 1989 was in the South Indian Film Industry had returned and started performing in Clubs and Hotels (Not Indian but Western Pop and Jazz, Funk, you name it!) Noor was also hot in the Club circuits and was already with AsiaBeat, one of Asia's finest Jazz Fusion outfits led by Louis Prakasam. By now we had a new member in bassist Rahim, another excellent musician who had already carved out a good name for himself in the club circuits.
When approached by the Club owners, we shared our idea of introducing a really tight Pop Fusion Indian band that could handle any genre of songs. I must say this Band had an understanding and character that was entirely new and fresh. This outfit brought about a pivotal change in our musical expression.... The experience showed.
That's a custom made guitar that I am playing. Rahim is playing an Ibanez Musician Bass. Bashir on all the vintage synths and Korgs & Noor playing on his recently purchased Yamaha Custom 9 series.
We had a good time of course!

VASANTHAM BOYS 1986

The biggest line-up the band ever got to :10-piece outfit
Tha's Noor, standing at the top.......
Middle row : Daniel, myself, Mike & Anand
Bottom row : Nanthakumar (Dr Nan), James (Relax Bro) & Ravi (Katto)
It's a photo shoot for our concert at Kallang Theatre in 1986.
My other brother Bashir is not in the picture as he was in Chennai (Madras).
He flew in a few days before our concert.

Bashir was already based in Chennai since 1984, playing keyboards and arranging for some Tamil Film Music Directors including Illayaraja, Gangai Amaran and Shankar Ganesh.
Much later Bashir also worked with AR Rahman doing jingles and programming. He played keyboards on the song "Hamma Hamma" from the movie "Bombay" as well as for the film "Kaadhalan" in Telegu.

AT A CONCERT - 1976

Me on the guitar. My brother Bashir on the accordian and youngest brother Noor on the bongos. As you can see we have graduated from the mandolin, bongos and tambourine respectively, since our initial concert in 1972.
That's Anand on the drums and Daniel on Tablas. They both later graduated to become excellent Bassists and Guitarists as well. The chap in between Bashir and Noor was a guest. Those were the days....

MY DEAR PARENTS

My father Mr Syed ' The Man' Yakob.
He who started it all. An accomplished accordionist himself, he taught music to all three of us brothers.Together with his lovely wife, our mother Hamidah, who has given everything she has to the family, we were put onto a musical cruise.... and still cruising till this day....All Praise to the Almighty Creator for bestowing the musical talents and guiding us through the best parents in our world.

THE BOYS (1972)

This is how it all started, in the early years. And I mean really early!!
My younger brother Bashir on the extreme right (playing the bongos) was 9 years old. My youngest brother, Noor was only 5 and as you can see, his feet can barely touch the floor. He's playing the tambourine on his lap, .... the makings of a future percussionist. Finally, that's me, all of 12 years, playing the mandolin. We were performing on a Radio show organised by Radio Television Singapore. .... and the little kid between Bashir and me, Ganavenothan, was a guest performer with us. He is now a flautist.

JUST THE TWO OF US

My dear father and me. I was all six years old. Bashir was a babe still & Noor....you guessed it right! He wasn't born yet.
We are in front of our home (in the background). An aunty of mine was getting married. I guess that explains all the tables and chairs below the tent. I am also sure these were my freedom years... as you can see from the smile on my face..... before my father started the serious music lessons for me.