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.”