LAMA menghilang kerana tumpuan pada pelajaran dan tugas baru selaku pensyarah vokal di Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (ASWARA), penyanyi Dia Fadila kembali dengan album kompilasi Terbaik Dariku.

Penyanyi berasal dari Shah Alam, Selangor ini antara penyanyi muda berbakat besar. Malah kemampuannya terbukti apabila memenangi Anugerah Planet Muzik (2005), kategori Artis Baru Terbaik Wanita dan juara kategori Pop Asian Golden Melodies Festival yang berlangsung di Vietnam tahun lalu.

Bagaimanapun menyentuh mengenai pembabitannya sebagai artis rakaman ternyata tuah tidak pernah berpihak kepadanya.

Menilai pembabitannya dalam industri muzik, Dia Fadila banyak mendendangkan lagu yang baik tetapi belum cukup untuk menyerlahkan vokalnya.

Selaku syarikat rakaman tempat Dia bernaung, Warner Music Malaysia turut mencuba pelbagai jalur lagu dimuatkan dalam dua album dihasilkan sebelum ini bagi mencari kesesuaian.

Bagi meneruskan kelangsungan Dia dalam industri muzik, Warner menghimpunkan beberapa lagu dianggap baik untuk dimuatkan dalam Terbaik Dariku dengan dua lagu baru.

Bagaimanapun menerusi album ini Dia mendendangkan lagu ciptaan komposer luar dari Thailand Chetta Yoroteak, Jat Da Da Da yang melodinya lebih bersahaja dan satu lagu balada, Satu Ruang, yang turut dijadikan runut bunyi untuk filem Selamat Pagi Cinta.

Menilai nyanyiannya dalam dua lagu ini mungkin di situlah kekuatan penyanyi yang bakatnya dicungkil daripada program bakat baru di RTM ini, bahawa Dia tidak perlu terlalu mencuba sebaliknya nyanyian bersahaja lebih memberi kelebihan kepadanya untuk menonjolkan.

Antara lagu lain yang turut dimuatkan di dalam album ini termasuklah single dari album pertamanya yang berjaya memperkenalkan nama Dia dalam persada muzik tempatan, Aku Masih Setia.

Lagu duet bersama penyanyi rock Hattan, Tangisan Marhaenis ciptaan M.Nasir memberikan cita rasa berbeza. Tidak ketinggalan turut ditampilkan lagu duetnya dengan penyanyi utama kumpulan Flop Poppy, Andy iaitu Tentang Cinta Ini.

Harian Metro

‘Cool’ is his second name but last weekend, Amy Search was almost in tears. HAFIDAH SAMAT fills you in.

The showbiz movers and shakers who attended the event were (from left) composer Johari Teh, concert promoter Ali Bakar, singer Rahim Maarof and M. Nasir.

A heartwarming sight – Amy kisses daughter Nabila’s cheek, with Norish all smiles in the background.

Amy’s family members (from left) Kat, Nabila and Norish rendering the haunting Isabella.

IT was an unforgettable Sunday evening. Amy, the lead vocalist of rock outfit Search, turned 50 on Monday. As expected, there was much fanfare.

The award-winning singer was overwhelmed with joy when his family surprised him with a birthday bash at the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts in Kuala Lumpur.

The elegant party was attended by some 220 of the singer’s family, relatives and close friends. The guests came from far and wide to join in the fun.

Spotted in the crowd were Amy’s daughter, the actress Nabila Huda; AirAsia Berhad chairman and former Search manager Datuk Aziz Bakar and wife Datin Norma Norell; and singer-composer-film director M.Nasir and wife Marlia Musa.

There were also the much celebrated songwriter-actor Bob Lokman (who was responsible for the band’s legendary tune Isabella), Search members, rock outfit Lefthanded’s vocalist Nash,Joe and Eddie of Black of Wings and former reality talent show Akademi Fantasia 6 principal, Ramli MS.

It was heartening to see some of Amy’s orang kampung too, from his hometown Bakar Batu in Johor Baru.

Fashion designer Albert King, who was accompanied by stylist Izatt Shariff, was seen chatting and joking with some of the members of the Press.

Despite her super-tight schedule, Amy’s wife-cum-personal assistant Norish Hassan, who had masterminded the party for three weeks, had discreetly called up his relatives and friends.

Details had been worked out carefully: from the attendees and the food, to decor and the evening’s programme.

The ballroom received the touch of wedding organiser Pak Abu.

The entrance was transformed into a little fairy tale garden and the setting done in earthy tones. Sheer chiffon curtains added a touch of romance.

The interior of the ballroom was an exquisite ivory hue with a gorgeously decorated head table. Tall arrangements of fresh red roses and small lanterns formed the centrepieces of each table.

The dining tables were labelled after some of Search’s greatest hits including Isabella, Seroja, Rozana, Meniti Titian Usang, Mentari Di Ufuk Timur and Isi Dan Kulit. How nostalgic!

Two gigantic screens were mounted at both sides of the room for guests to enjoy a video presentation of Amy’s illustrious career in the music industry.

“It was no walk in the park to organise the party. The days leading up to the evening were nerve-wracking, as Amy got suspicious about my late night outings,” said the tudung-clad Norish, laughing.

“Nabila even joked that I’d be grounded by Amy if I stayed out more. Oh, how I prayed that everything would turn out memorable,” she added.

Well, Norish, it was certainly worth the effort! It was touching to witness the well-wishers who came clad in their party best congregating to celebrate the legendary rocker’s landmark birthday in style!

Norish recalled a funny little “drama” which unfolded at their home a few hours before the party.

Amy was reported to have become upset at his family when he noticed that they were getting restless… Amy had only been told that he was to attend a corporate event later.

“Nabila, myself and the kids were ready to leave to make the final preparations and there he was nagging at us. So we stayed back and pretended nothing was happening,” said Norish, smiling.

The guests were warned beforehand that Amy had no inkling of the party for him. Everyone was to surprise him with the birthday song.

The evening’s entertainment kicked off at 9pm. Amy performed the melancholic Saat Ku Idamkan, from his solo album Magik which was released in 1994.

Just as he was about to break into the second song, the house lights came on and confetti dropped from the air. This was followed by the joyous birthday song and applause.

Amy was clearly shocked. He took a few seconds to compose himself.

“I’ve never celebrated my birthday before. This is so touching. I’m grateful to Allah for my long music career.

“I’ve a supportive family and friends who have supported Search through the years,” he added.

Amy said that his life has come full circle.

After 27 years in showbiz, he only hoped for good health and another child!

“I’ve achieved some of my dreams and my greatest moment was Search’s tour in Indonesia back in the 1980s. I still get goosebumps thinking about the historic moments.

“Of course, if Allah permits, I don’t mind having another child,” he said, laughing.

(Amy has three children – Nabila, 24, Alexander Zulkarnain, 4 and Sania Samara, two).

The evening also included a series of performances by his friends.

Hattan came on stage and rocked the house with his rendition of Dia, Man Bai rendered his signature Kau Ilhamku, and former Malaysian Idol contestant Fazli Zainal performed Suatu Masa.

The highlight came when Nabila, Norish and his sister-in-law, singer Kat, came on stage and performed Isabella.

Amy was all smiles, enjoying the small family performance on stage.

“He’s my hero. He knows best and I’ve learnt a lot from him”, said Nabila, as she playfully kissed her father on the cheeks. Amy looked dashing and spunky in a linen gold suit.

Asked about his plans, Amy stressed that he wasn’t planning to retire.

“I want to continue performing. It’s heartening when you still sizzle for your fans, especially the younger generation,” he said.

Oh yes, did we mention that amongst the more expensive gifts Amy received was a bungalow worth RM2.5 million in Shah Alam, courtesy of an undisclosed close friend?

Here’s wishing you, Amy, a Happy 50th Birthday!

New Straits Times

Sazzy Falak bersama kereta kesayangan.

Apa jua jenisnya, kereta penumpang, kenderaan utiliti sports (SUV) atau kenderaan pelbagai guna (MPV), kenderaan beroda empat yang lazimnya dipanggil kereta menjadi keperluan kepada semua, miskin atau kaya, tua atau muda dan apa juga pekerjaan yang dilakukan.

Yang membezakan antara semua ialah jenis kereta yang dipandu, sama ada mewah atau murah bergantung kepada hasil pendapatan masing-masing berdasarkan pekerjaan yang dilakukan.

Selain ahli perniagaan dan politik yang sering dilihat memandu kereta-kereta mewah berjenama antarabangsa, golongan selebriti atau lebih senang digelar artis juga adalah antara pemilik kereta-kereta mewah yang sedang menjalar di atas jalan-jalan raya.

Seperti juga artis-artis luar negara antaranya pasangan suami isteri, David dan Victoria Beckham, Rowan Atkinson yang lebih dikenali oleh peminatnya sebagai Mr. Bean serta Cameron Diaz, artis-artis tempatan juga selesa memandu kereta mewah pelbagai jenama.

David dan Victoria Beckham atau Posh Spice itu adalah antara selebriti terkemuka yang memiliki banyak kereta mewah antaranya yang berjenama Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche 911, Range Rover, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce Phantom, BMW M3, Audi Q7, Lamborghini Gallardo dan Mercedes S500.

Yang menariknya ialah kebanyakan daripada kereta-kereta ini dilengkapi dengan kerusi bayi berkulit bagi menempatkan anak-anak pasangan tersebut agar selamat sepanjang perjalanan sejajar dengan gelaran sebagai ibu-bapa penyayang buat pasangan itu.

Rowan Atkinson yang sering memandu kereta kodok dalam siri drama komedi popular, Mr Bean pula sebenarnya mempunyai cita rasa yang tinggi dalam automotif dengan memiliki beberapa kereta eksotik seperti Aston Martin V8 Zagato, McLaren F1 dan Audi A8.

Mr Bean membeli McLaren F1 berikutan kejayaan filem “Bean – The Movie.” dan berbanding watak beliau yang seakan-akan naif dan lurus bendul itu, beliau suka memandu laju kereta tersebut yang boleh memecut sehingga 240 batu sejam.

Tidak seperti Victoria Beckham, Mr Bean yang rajin menulis mengenai cerita-cerita permotoran dalam beberapa majalah tidak menggemari Porsche tanpa mengetahui sebab sebenarnya walaupun mengakui kereta-kereta berjenama itu adalah hebat.

Pelakon watak Charlie’s Angels, Cameron Diaz yang pernah menjadi peminat kereta- kereta antik buatan Jerman memiliki beberapa kereta mewah seperti Porsche 911 Carrera, Mercedes SL dan Toyota Prius.

Kereta-kereta itu dilengkapi enjin hybrid yang boleh beralih antara enjin petrol konvensional dan enjin elektrik bergantung kepada keadaan sejajar dengan sikap pelakon itu yang cintakan alam sekitar bersama-sama rakan artis lain antaranya Gwyneth Paltrow, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Crystal, dan Harrison Ford.

Sistem navigasi Madonna pula, yang berhijrah ke London pada tahun 2001, memiliki rangkaian kereta mewah antaranya BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 dan Maybach super-limousine serta Cooper S yang dilengkapi sistem navigasi kawasan bagi membantu bintang itu semasa di luar daerah.

Anak kepada jurutera motor terkemuka itu sangat meminati Mini Cooper itu sehingga memuatkan nama kereta itu dalam satu daripada lagu-lagu terbarunya. Artis yang turut memiliki kereta yang sama ialah Sting, Goldie Hawn dan Elijah Wood.

Sementara itu, di kalangan artis tempatan pula, ramai antara mereka memandu kereta mewah terutama buatan Jerman dan Jepun yang terkenal dengan teknologi automotif termaju dan boleh dibeli pada harga yang agak tinggi, menjangkaui kemampuan seseorang pekerja berpendapatan sederhana di negara ini.

Antaranya ialah Erra Fazira yang memandu kereta berjenama BMW, Fasha Sandha dan Noryn Aziz memandu Honda CRV, Hattan dan Fauziah Latif bergegas ke sana ke mari dengan Mini Cooper manakala Ziana Zain dan Misha Omar bergaya dengan kereta Mercedes Benz.

Bagi Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina yang kini sedang berhempas-pulas menjayakan teater P. Ramlee, kenderaan pacuan empat roda BMW X5 bukan sahaja memenuhi selera automotif tetapi juga memudahkan pengangkutan segala barangan keperluan, sama seperti Awie yang selesa dengan Toyota Harrier.

Tidak kira artis, ahli perniagaan atau ahli politik, pengenalan skim subsidi harga minyak baru di negara ini yang bertujuan memberi lebih keadilan kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana pastinya menggoncang sedikit poket semua pemilik kereta mewah ini, walaupun tidak begitu dirasai bebannya selama ini.

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