Archive for the ‘Fauziah Latiff’ Category
Malay Songs Are Winnie’s Passion
Winnie K has released her fourth album, Kau Ada Di Mana
Winnie K loves Malay songs and her fourth album was first released in Indonesia recently. SHARIFAH ARFAH hears about her journey in the music world.
AN early start in singing, it is believed, is preferred for those intending to achieve stardom.
But after a placing within the top three in a regional singing contest and recording four albums, singer Winnie Kok aka Winnie K attests that it’s not as easy as it sounds.
“It does depend on luck as well. It’s not easy to be an artiste,” says the 28-year-old lass.
She has just released her fourth album Kau Ada Di Mana in Malay. It was released in Indonesia in March.
A collaboration between Malaysian and Indonesian composers, the album sees contributions from Malaysian composers Audi Mok, Cat Farish, Ajai, Ramli M.S., and Siew; while Dewiq and Yudis Dwikarono make up the Indonesian composers.
“I knew the Indonesian composers through a mutual friend there. They saw how passionate I was about singing, and that led to the recording deal signed with Trinity Optima, who also releases albums for Indonesian artistes such as Rossa and Ungu,” said Winnie.
Kau Ada Di Mana was released in Malaysia in June under the Warner Music label.
Her first single for airplay is a track after which the album was titled, followed by Kekasih Gelapku.
Jakarta is now her second home, her base for her promotional tours.
“I know it’s not easy for me to break into the Indonesian market where they have so many of their own singers trying to make a name, so I have to be diligent with my promotional activities,” she said.
It took three years to finalise her first Malay album to ensure that it met standards.
“It wasn’t easy selecting the songs to fit the concept I wanted - catchy, with easy-to-follow lyrics,” she said.
As a fan of Malay songs, Winnie doesn’t feel awkward singing in Malay.
“Since secondary school, I have loved Malay songs.” Her favourite artistes those days included KRU, Fauziah Latiff and Sheila Majid.
An exposure to Malay songs was also acquired while campaigning as an ambassador for Pepsi.
“I got to know Siti Nurhaliza and KRU back then, and I learned a lot about the local music scene from them,” said Winnie.
When did it all start? As early as when she was three years old, apparently.
“My mom said I sang every day at home,” Winnie said.
She took part in as many talent shows as she could fit into her days.
One of the turning points came in 1993, at 13, when she entered the Asia Bagus singing contest. She emerged runner-up in the grand championship final.
“After the win, many people recognised me,” Winnie said.
She was eventually offered a recording contract by PonyCanyon due to her sterling performance in Asia Bagus, but she had to decline.
“I felt I was too young, so I continued with my studies instead.”
She went on to graduate with a degree in Business Administration from Sunway University College, and did a six-month stint in TV presentation at Wesley College in Melbourne, Australia.
“I began to regret then not taking up the offer (by PonyCanyon). I wondered how I would have fared, with the exposure I may have had in Japan. I love singing, but I know that it’s not enough to just be a singer without something solid to fall back on.
“Many singers come and go, and it’s so easy for people to forget you when new stars arrive.”
New Straits Times
Baby This Song’s For You!
Fazley has been busy singing, hosting TV shows and giving motivational talks. Soon, being a father will keep him on his toes as well.
Soon-to-be father Fazley is also looking forward to working with an award-winning lyricist with whom he has always been dreaming of collaborating. SHUIB TAIB writes.
IT pays to be patient. And singer/motivational speaker/TV host Fazley can attest to this.
Since his involvement in show business 13 years ago, it has been his dream to collaborate with award-winning lyricist Habsah Hassan.
No stranger to local music fans, Habsah who is also a well-established scriptwriter and film producer (Hati Bukan Kristal), has penned hundreds of songs.
Her reputation as a sought-after lyricist resulted from her working with a string of top local singers, including Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Sheila Majid and the late Sudirman Arshad.
Habsah, who had a hand in chart-toppers like Merisik Khabar, Jauh Di Sudut Hati, Legenda and Dialah Di Hati, has finally written one for Fazley titled Rindu Tak Tertanggung. The song is composed by Ajai.
“I’ve been waiting for Habsah since I was 17! She is worth the wait though, as her lyrics are always poignant and moving. I’m targeting this to be my first single - but this depends on what happens after we’ve finished recording,” said the 30-year-old.
Fazley, who has been busy with hosting TV shows, is releasing an album of 10 new songs, plus four bonus tracks. The tracks are taken from his previous albums and are all about love.
The songs are Kerna Asmara, Cerita Asmara, Asmara Ini and H.U.J.A.N. or Harapan Untuk Janji Asmara Nurani.
Aside from Aja, who composed four numbers, Fazley has roped in the expertise of Mode of Ruffedge, who contributed three songs while the rest are written by him.
The yet-to-be-titled album is expected to hit the market by end of this month.
Elaborating on his album, Fazley said that Superheromu could be its title.
“The song Superheromu in the album is simple but catchy. It is about a guy who tries to save his girl by becoming a superhero. It’s inspired by a Harvey Malaiholo (an Indonesian jazz singer) number,” said Fazley.
The album will not be moving away very much from what he had done previously. The music will be contemporary and romantic. Lyrics-wise, save for the one written by Kak Chah (Habsah), the songs are simple.
Fazley has also been travelling a lot around the country, mostly to places he thought he would never set foot on.
As host of the programme, 3 Hari 2 Malam (airing every Sunday on TV9 at 8.30pm), which is already in its third season, Fazley has been to almost every corner of the country.
“I’ve been to places like Hutan Belum with Fauziah Latiff, climbed a mountain in search of the Rafflesia, went kayaking and diving in Pulau Kapas with Dr Faiz the astronaut (who was also his junior at school) and experienced all sorts of outdoor adventures.
“The travelogue also took us to Pulau Banding in Perak, Tasik Bera in Pahang and Gunung Santubong (the venue of the Rainforest Festival) in Sarawak.
“Since this is a programme for budget travellers, we usually travel by road and stay at 2- or 3-star hotels. Each artiste featured on the programme is given RM500 to spend during the three-day-two-night stay,” said Fazley, who also penned the theme song for the show.
Other celebrities who have appeared on the show include Cat Farish, Siti Sarah and Danny X-Factor.
Tune in to TV9 between 8am and 10am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you will see Fazley in a different role in the programme called Nasi Lemak Kopi O.
In the show’s motivation segment called Pedas Sedap, Fazley answers calls and offers advice.
Celcom mobile phone users can also get his daily motivational quotes by sending the SMS “S1″ to 22600.
And soon Fazley will also be seen on TV2’s English talk show, Mr Motivation.
Although the singer has tried his hand at acting, he prefers hosting as it allows him to be himself.
But the one thing he is most looking forward to is becoming a father.
In fact, Fazley and his wife are expecting the arrival of their baby on the same date they got married last year: Nov 7.
Does he know his baby’s gender?
“Nope! Both my wife and I want this to be a surprise. When shopping for baby stuff we go for a neutral colour - white! We don’t care about whether we’re going to have a boy or girl so long as he or she is healthy.”
New Straits Times
Hear: Vintage Alleycats
ULANGTAHUN KE-40 (1968-2008)
Alleycats
(Universal Music)
THIS four-disc collector’s item is a gem. Celebrating the glory of Alleycats’ music over the last four decades, it features songs that were previously heard on records and cassettes.
Also a tribute to Loga, it is powerfully nostalgic and serves as a reminder of what music was all about in those days - something hardly done today.
David and Loga’s vocal prowess is incomparable and the tunes are faultless.
There are three new tracks here, one for each of the three discs (the fourth one features a VCD of four music videos and the Rockumentari: Kerana Kau, Ku Masih Di Sini.
The new Senandung Semalam 2008 (a duet with Kristal) is a mess. David would be better off alone in this mismatch of vocal styles. Nevertheless, the updated sound of Hanya Kita Yang Tahu (the duet with Jay Jay) is quite pleasant.
David’s seasoned vocals in the new recording of Suara Kekasih seems to be the only good thing about this group recording, featuring Ezad Exist, Zamani Slam and Saleem - some of whom, at times, are trying too hard to make the song their own. Bad decision.
Selected tracks: Seribu Bintang, Setahun Sudah Berlalu.
Rating: HHHH
SERIBU KENANGAN
Various
(Sony BMG)
THE CD packs 16 love songs that have been playing a lot on radio, so it could easily be a compilation fans would sing along to while driving to work.
From Fauziah Latiff’s Teratai Layu Di Tasik Madu to Jamal Abdillah’s Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir, the songs are perhaps the artistes’ greatest hits. Where else would you find a CD with Kian (Mawi) and Kasih Berubah (Ferhad) in an album?
Of course, one could argue that there are other great love songs in the ’90s - which seems to be the era from which the tunes were picked - that should be in here as well, like Siti Nurhaliza’s Jerat Percintaan, or many others.
Nevertheless, this is perhaps one of the good compilations of love songs out there, simply because you don’t feel like pressing the forward button.
Other tracks include Langit Ke 7 (Sharifah Zarina), Teringin (Shima), Puncak Kasih (Ziana Zain), Tragedi Oktober (Awie), Di Persimpangan Dilema (Nora), Layar Impian (Ella) and Relaku Pujuk (Spider).
Selected tracks: Teratai Layu Di Tasik Madu, Keabadian Cinta.
Rating: HHH ´
1 INDO HITS
Various
(Warner Music/Sony BMG)
While the above compilation on Malaysian pop songs reminds us of our music industry’s past, this album featuring popular Indonesian love tunes represents the industry’s present. They receive more airplay and are more popular with our listeners these days.
We can’t really fault the tunes though. They’re not just good, they’re excellent. We’re not just talking about the melodies and poetic lyrics, but also the music arrangements that, sorry to say, are far more advanced than our local soppy ballads that don’t seem to change much since the ’80s.
With this compilation, it’s easy to see why they are more fancied than current Malay hits (go to karaoke hangouts and you’ll see that Indo hits are the order of the day). We can argue until the cows come home, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the songs.
Dealova (Once) is a heart-wrenching winner that opens with a soaring violin before giving in to soft guitar strums in the first verse. In the second verse, a rippling piano introduces the vocals before an orchestra of instruments come in. The vocalist glides from his masculine natural voice to falsetto and wins us over.
Even the silly-sounding Lelaki Buaya Darat (Ratu), with its simplistic approach, is catchy. They are what pop music is all about - powerful melodies. Pencinta Wanita (Irwanshah), Ada Cinta and Berdua Lebih Baik (Acha Saptriasa) are some examples of fine compositions, despite the so-so vocals.
Selected tracks: Dealova, Tentang Bintang.
Rating: HHHH
KAMI VOL II
Various
(Monkey Bone/EMI Music)
Featuring alternative pop/rock tracks from the upcoming movie Kami, this album is about our indie bands (and we have many) and their brand of music.
Songs from Meet Uncle Hussain (Pari Pari Di Bawah Angin), Laila’s Lounge (Mawar Khayalan) and Love Me Butch (This is Our Year) are not really the radio-friendly tunes we’d like to hear again and again, but they do take our industry to a different level.
Still, the rap-rock tune K.a.m.i (Kerana Aku Masih Ingat) by Dragon Red is nothing new other than it’s scream-out-loud Linkin Park-esque sound. Butterfinger’s 1000 Tahun (Kami Mahu Hidup) suggest that it has a problem writing Malay lyrics.
Interestingly, Aggrobeats’ funk/soul approach in We Got Soul really got my interest. The James Brown-inspired vocal stylings and retro music is really something. Then it’s back to bland and boring tracks.
Some of the songs tend to get repetitive with the production quality just so-so, as if you’re listening to a recording of the bands jamming in the studio. There’s only so much guitar you can handle in one album listening.
Selected tracks: Pari Pari Di Bawah Angin, We Got Soul.
Rating: H ´
New Straits Times