Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Thursday, September 11, 2008

He has created some of the finest entertainers in the country and has rapped those in the business without fear or favour. Music guru Roslan Aziz speaks to RADIN SRI GHAZALI about the current state of affairs in the industry and his band, aLi.

HE drives a Kancil and dresses in faded T-shirts and baggy jeans.

He is music guru Roslan Aziz, hailed by many as the maker of music icons, including Sheila Majid, Zainal Abidin, Amir Yussuf, Prema Lucas and Afdlin Shauki.

“I am a simple man. I do not splurge on unnecessary things such as fancy cars. I do not even have credit cards,” said the 47-year-old composer with a laugh.

Where does the money go? “Here,” he said pointing out his studio, situated near Bangsar.
“I spent most of my time and all of my earnings on RAP (Roslan Aziz Productions). I invested a lot on the studio’s development and on taking care of the artistes who are signed under us,” he said.

Established in 1988, RAP has made a mark in the Malaysian music industry by producing timeless albums including Ratu, Gamal, Ikhlas and Hijau.

“I believe in grooming the artistes to achieve the best. When there is potential, I will take them and develop them. It is not an easy thing to do. You have to spend thousands of ringgit on them for training, album productions and more,” he said.

“Now, most people are too caught up in popularising their artistes rather than grooming them to be better entertainers,” he said.

As a composer and music producer, Roslan is no stranger to awards for his outstanding contribution to the music industry.

He won the Best Album award for Gamal at AIM in 1995, Best Album for Ratu at AIM (1996), Best Album for Emosi at BASF Awards, Indonesia in 1987, and Most Promising Producer at the Music Producers Awards in the United States in 2002.

When asked the five most listened-to albums, Roslan immediately said: “Hijau, Ratu, Ali, Gamal and M. Nasir’s Solo. Obviously most of the albums were made by me.”

After 25 years of being behind the scenes, Roslan finally is taking the limelight as one-half of the band, aLi.

“I am doing it for self satisfaction and of course, nak cari makan,” he said referring to the musical partnership with fellow rap artiste, Mukhlis Nor.

“aLi is different. aLi represents our interpretation of what music is about. It has its own appeal to the masses,” he explained.

aLi-The Album consists of Nonterro, Benar, Bebas, Mata Hari and Merong, written and composed by the duo.

The album was launched digitally on Aug 8 after being postponed for three months.

“We want to see the response on our digital sales before releasing it in the physical format. It is a great way to introduce the album to the people,” he said, adding that the digital release is in support of Universal Music’s website for digital downloading called Music Myne. The website will be officially launched at the end of the year.

“Even if there are only 200 people buying it, I would still be happy. It shows that there are people out there who listen to us,” he said.

However, the mainstream radio stations have not been giving the much-needed support to aLi.

“We have distributed the album to several radio stations including the big ones. They have yet to play our songs,” he said.

As for the future, both Roslan and Mukhlis have big plans for the band.

“I want to bring back the good old days of RAP where we travelled around the globe. I want to bring aLi to that level of success and we are ready for a tour.” Roslan plans to hold aLi’s album launch in Singapore later this year.

“The launch is a gift for our fans there,” he said.

Roslan also expressed his dismay at the current scenario of the local entertainment scene.

“We need to be more musically literate. Singers and artistes should pursue higher education. Most of the younger generation of artistes are too ignorant and they will have trouble sustaining themselves in the industry,” he said.

Roslan also hopes that the media will give the right coverage to the deserving artistes.

“There are a lot of singers and artistes who are doing more than the mainstream. Look at Laguna Records, Butterfingers, Love Me Butch and Sasi The Don who have braved their way through the industry with their hard work,” he stressed.

“We have a lot of talents here, but there is not much coverage on them. It is time to change that mentality,” he said.

“Only then, readers and fans will be able to see the real musicians and singers who are producing the goods,” he said.

A curious mind would wonder what inspires a music genius like Roslan to create countless hits including Lagenda, Gemilang, Wanita, Sinaran and more.

“Honestly, my kids inspire me. I would be paralysed without them,” said the father of five.

And when asked what life would be without music, he said: “According to my mother, music has been in me ever since I was born. I can’t imagine my life not making music.”

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Roslan Aziz finds, signs and nurtures genuine talent. (Malaysian music firm Roslan Aziz Productions)

From:Billboard
Date:August 20, 1994
Author:Nuvich, Alexandr

KUALA LUMPUR--Over the past five years, Roslan Aziz Productions has developed into Malaysia's strongest independent music company through a shrewd understanding of the local market. Just recently, this strategy attracted the attention of Warner Music International, which acquired a 49% stake in the firm (Billboard, June 11) as the latter looks at overseas opportunities for local artists.

"Malaysia was never thought of as having a music industry per se," says Bodeng Edruce, RAP creative director. "It was just another album-selling market. There are still a lot of local artists who think of it as a platform to something else."

In a market where artists have been known to ...

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

RAJA ATILIA LIVE !!

Friday, August 08, 2008

RELEASED 08-08-08

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

P RAMLEE the Musical

Soulful vibrations

By N. RAMA LOHAN

entertainment@thestar.com.my

This isn’t the first time the late great P. Ramlee’s music has been interpreted in a musical, though – it was staged last year by Enfiniti Productions as well. Yet, there is always a significance in revisiting his exquisite body of work.

“It’s the same reason I did Legenda (with Sheila Majid) 20 years ago, I guess. This is a way to introduce – to a younger audience – his works and his passion. Then, this is also a tribute for all those who love him.

“And for all of us musicians, another round of textbook lessons ? this is perhaps another golden opportunity to re-affirm that this old man Ramlee is not an over-rated figure. And finally, for those who simply miss him ? our very dear father of music.”“You can go on and on, interpreting the music and turning it upside down, improvising it, rocking it out for many years to come ? and it’ll still be refreshing. You constantly discover and learn new things.

“He introduced a sense of eclecticism to Malay music.”This second instalment of P. Ramlee The Musical sees foreign and Malaysian musicians sharing the stage for a common cause. Making up the horn section are Walter Simonsen, Harry Kim and Ben Burgett. Renowned American session guitarist, Randy Bernsen, who has worked with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Toots Theilemans, Michael Brecker, and Jaco Pastorius, leads the proceedings in the six-string department.

Our very own talent includes the likes of Jimmy Tan (Tempered Mental) on drums, FLY on bass, Roslan’s collaborator, conductor and keyboardist Jason Voo, pianist Tee Kay, Eddie (from Slam) and Sze Zee Wan on keyboards, and Duan (Seven Collar T-shirt) on guitar. The very talented UiTM students shoulder backing vocal responsibilities.

If we – as Asians and foreigners to western music – can interpret what we hear from around the world, there should be no issues for the situation to be in reverse. “I always love the way other musicians from a different environment and musical palette interpret P. Ramlee’s songs. It’s refreshingly beautiful and from another perspective, unique, too,” he says. “Miles Davis should have done a P. Ramlee song,” quips Roslan.

But why would anyone want to catch the second instalment of this musical so soon, especially since the last was staged only a year ago? Roslan provides one sure-fire response: “This time, you will come back.”

His faith lies in the thought that P. Ramlee was a one-of-a-kind individual. “The uniqueness in P. Ramlee is his heart ... the instrumentation will try to interpret that.”

08-08-08

'aLi
DEBUT ALBUM

RELEASE NATIONWIDE
08-08-08

AVAILABLE ONLINE
WORLDWIDE

produced and mixed by roslan aziz
all songs written by mukhlis nor

presented by
roslan aziz productions
&
universal music malaysia

Roslan Aziz Productions is a trademark owned by
Adhicipta (M) Sdn Bhd. (Semua Hakcipta Terpelihara)
All Copyright Recordings/Artwork/XHTML © 2008 Troka Estate.
[All Rights Reserved]

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

An Interpretation of JENTAYU by Fair

Satu Kelainan Pemikiran
Menulis Demi Cinta - Fair
Interpretasi : Lirik Jentayu - Tongkat Warrant

Satu Interpretasi : Jentayu

Salam semua, saya akan cuba mengupas apakah yang ingin dinyatakan dari lagu Jentayu ini. Ini adalah interpretasi saya untuk semua dari satu kelainan pentafsiran, demi cinta untuk semua !

Lagu : Johan Nawawi
Lirik : Allahyarham Usman Awang (Tongkat Warrant)
Penyanyi : Shiela Majid & Nora
Penerbit (Published by): Musicworks
Produksi (Produced by) : Roslan Aziz Productions

Jentayu

\\ Saya belum menggoogle sepenuhnya tentang burung Jentayu. Bila di”mabuk”kan fikiran, saya mendapat tiga tafsiran “karut-kerut” iaitu : Jentayu = Jentera Melayu, Jentera Ayu (Pejuang Wanita) dan Jeneral T’Akhir Melayu.

Di paruhmu kemilauan sinar

\\ Senjata yang digunakan baik mata pedang ataupun mata pena berdasarkan prinsip berprinsip yang “Haq” atau benar

Menyepuhi sejuta rasa
\\ Memulihkan jiwa semua

Kemuliaan di hatimu
\\ Niat dan perbuatan yang ikhlas : Kerana Allah

Bening budi terdampar di jagat raya

\\ Apa yang dilakukan masih belum terlihat sepenuhnya oleh mereka yang tidak mampu memandangnya

Di sayap taufan kau jelajahi
\\ Berani untuk berjuang walau dalam pentas / gelanggang pertarungan yang amat kejam

Awan gemawan membawa rindu
\\ Mereka yang dapat melihat ditafsirkan sebagai awan kerana sifatnya yang meneduhkan dan menangiskan hujan rahmat. Mereka ini adalah para-para solehin & solehah yang bibir tidak pernah kering melafazakan doa untuk perjuangan pejuang-pejuang Islam. tanda-tanda kenabian Nabi Muhammad S.A.W juga salah satunya dikaitkan dengan awan yang memayungi baginda.

Kasihmu menentangi kezaliman
Ketidakadilan
\\Cintanya para pejuang demi untuk mempertahankan bangsa dan agama. Mereka melawan segala bentuk kezaliman (baca : ketidakadilan dalam membuat sesuatu keputusan = berat sebelah = meletakkan sesuatu tidak pada tempatnya yang sepatutnya)

( korus )
Jentayu
Patah sayap bertongkat paruh
\\ Sayap : Jasad seluruhnya terutama kudrat 4 kerat (tangan dan kaki)
\\ Paruh : Kata-kata / tulisan / karya seni sepenuh ikhlas

Jentayu
Patah paruh bertongkat siku
\\ Siku : Kudrat empat kerat yang masih tersisa

Jentayu
Patah siku bertongkat dagu
\\ Dagu : Kata-kata / tulisan / karya seni yang masih berbisa

Jentayu
Patah dagu bertongkat kuku
\\ Kuku : Istiqamah hati. Senjata yang paling terakhir (juga paling ampuh : kuku adalah penting untuk spesies burung memantau dari ranting yang atas), maka apabila menggunakan kuku maka jasad Jentayu pasti telah mencecah tanah setelah bertarung di udara bebas penuh ikhlas.

\\ Uniknya lirik ini mempunyai frasa “Tongkat” seperti mana Nurbisa ak.a. Loloq untuk lagu Berikan Nur Bisa. Seperti lagu ini bagai mencerminkan perjuangan mereka berdua !

\\Tafsiran Korus Secara Pukal : Pejuang yang sebenar tidak akan gentar dan mengaku kalah, mempertahankan yang haq (untuk yang layak). Pejuang sebenar (terpilih) pasti dikurniakan ilhamkan sejuta cara. Akhirnya jika ditakdirkan menitiskan darah terakhir, maka cintanya telah dijulang ke langit diraikan dan diiringkan oleh para malaikat bersama tasbih tiada tara.

Pinjamkanlah hatimu
Untuk semua
\\ Semoga sejarah pejuang yang tiada atau masih ada akan melahirkan pejuang-pejuang lain yang lebih hebat. “Fussion Reaction” / Rantaian Teori Domino.

( ulang korus 2X )

Pinjamkanlah syahdumu

\\ Bisakah kita merasai nikmatnya perjuangan mereka ? Tiada syahdu yang lebih agung dan damai di hati selain dari perjuangan kerana Allah S.A.W ! Syahdukan dirimu dengan ingatan yang sentiasa “echo” akan kasih sifat-sifat-Nya. Pelajarilah sifat 20 & carilah guru yang MURSYID.

Marilah kita sedekahkan al-Fatihah kepada Allahyarham Usman Awang & semua muslim yang hidup dan telah meninggalkan kita.

“Harimau mati meninggalkan belang, manusia mati meninggalkan permata, cuma perlu digilap : pada mata kita agar terang menyaksikan keindahan permata itu. Mata nilai Permata”

Fairuz Hafeez
Mentafsir Demi Cinta

Sunday, July 20, 2008

HARING written by MUKHLIS NOR of a L i

Mengupas Syair : Haring seperti yang dipersembahkan oleh a L i

Haring ("The Album" Version)

Ku usik kenangan lama
Bermusim yang hujan dan kering
Helang seraya membisik kepadanya
Adapun ini khabar yang penting

Kemuning berbunga
Di musim dedaunnya kering
Helah ku bertanya tetapi mengah
Mengapa yang ku terbau haring?

Lain ayunan
Terjadi lagi
Orang bulan, orang tepi jalan
Dapat memahami keadaan ini

Ku usik kenangan lama
Bermusim yang hujan dan kering
Helang seraya membisik kepadanya
Adapun ini khabar yang penting

Kemuning berbunga
Di musim dedaunnya kering
Helah ku bertanya tetapi mengah
Mengapa yang ku terbau haring?

Lain ayunan
Terjadi lagi
Orang bulan, orang tepi jalan
Dapat memahami keadaan ini

Lain ayunan
Terjadi lagi
Orang bulan, orang tepi jalan
Dapat memahami keadaan ini

Lain ayunan
Terjadi lagi
Orang bulan, orang tepi jalan
Dapat memahami keadaan ini

Posted by Perantau
Adhicipta (M) Sdn Bhd. Semua Hakcipta Terpelihara. Artwork/XHTML © 2008 Troka Estate. [All Rights Reserved]