M Nasir to cameo in Bruneian film

taken from Borneo Bulletin 23 March 2013
Aziz Idris  

ACCLAIMED actor and singer-songwriter, Dato’ Mohamad Nasir Mohamad or M Nasir is currently in the Sultanate to promote his involvement in the upcoming Bruneian film, “Yasmine – the Final Fist”, where the award-winning Singaporean-born Malaysian plays a fallen Silat warrior.

During a press conference held in conjunction with movie launch of film at i-Centre, Berakas yesterday, the multi-talented artiste announced to members of the media that he will make a cameo appearance in the film acting as a “dark character”, a role which he described as “very challenging”. He is also one of the first confirmed casts in the film.

Dato’ M Nasir speaking at the press conference. – AZROL AZMI

Dato’ M Nasir will play a fallen Silat Warrior, who practices dark Silat moves. According to the synopsis of the film, he lives alone and rumours state he still practices his dark arts and takes in apprentices to carry on his legacy.

He also expressed his appreciation to the director, Siti Kamaluddin for offering the role.

“I’m friends with Siti and when I heard that she will be directing a film, I was not surprised because I believe she is very talented,” adding that from the experienced technical team and talented international artistes, the film will be a “good production”.

Dato M Nasir also urged the public, especially from Brunei, to support the film as this is important for development of the fledging film industry in the country.

Viewed as a living legend by the industry, Dato’ M Nasir has an immense resume as a poet, singer-songwriter, composer, producer, actor and film director. Viewed as a living ledged by the industry, he has kept his Malay roots eminent in all of his works and has strung a profuse number of awards in each of his entertainment endeavours.

M Nasir janji kelainan

petikan Berita Harian 21 Mac 2013
Serimah Mohd Sallehuddin

M Nasir bersama Ketua Pengarah Istana Budaya, Datuk Muhd Juhari Shaarani (tiga dari kiri), Zamberi (dua dari kanan) dan penaja.

Konsert Sang Pencinta di IB Jun depan gabung elemen canggih audio, visual

Selepas empat tahun, penyanyi dan komposer terkenal, Datuk M Nasir, kini bersedia untuk kembali beraksi dalam sebuah persembahan berskala mega di Istana Budaya.

Artis serba boleh yang turut digelar sifu muzik itu bakal muncul bersama Konsert M Nasir Sang Pencinta pada 7 hingga 9 Jun depan. Malah penganjur dan penyanyi itu sendiri berjanji, persembahan kali ini pasti berbeza dengan konsert Alam Muzik - M Nasir yang dipentaskan di dewan berprestij itu pada Februari 2009.

Penerbit dan penganjur dari Bombay Worldwide, Zamberi Shaari, yakin peminat juga akan berpuas hati dengan konsert berkenaan, walaupun harga tiket dirasakan agak tinggi berbanding persembahan sebelumnya.

“Konsert ini bakal memberikan kelainan dengan menggunakan kelengkapan canggih. Kita akan menggabungkan elemen audio dan visual untuk membawa penonton menyelami karya M Nasir, bukan sekadar mendengar lagunya.

“Pada konsert ini juga kami menggunakan kaedah ‘visual mapping’ di mana projektor akan diguna pakai dengan meluas. Imej daripada projektor akan dipancarkan ke pentas, juga pada prop dan belakang pantas. Ketiga-tiganya akan saling berkait dan diadunkan bersama dengan audio yang akan memberikan kesan lebih menarik lagi.

“Malah pada konsert yang mempunyai ciri teater muzikal itu, kita turut menyediakan papan cerita di mana M Nasir akan berlakon agar pengembaraan yang ingin kita sampaikan dapat dilihat penonton. Sebab itu saya katakan, penonton tidak akan berasa rugi dengan harga tiket yang mereka keluarkan,” katanya.

Nyanyi lagu kegemaran 
Konsert M Nasir Sang Pencinta bakal menghimpunkan lebih 20 lagu yang dipilih penyanyi itu sendiri. Bakal diarahkan oleh Nan, konsert terbabit akan diiringi pemuzik Orkestra Simfoni Kebangsaan dan muzik gamelan oleh Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia (OTM).

Sementara itu M Nasir pada majlis sidang media mengumumkan penganjuran konsert itu di ibu kota, kelmarin, berkata persembahan berkenaan amat penting kerana ia menjadi kesinambungan kepada kerjaya seninya.

Jelasnya, lagu yang bakal disajikan nanti turut berbeza daripada apa yang pernah dipersembahkan olehnya sebelum ini.

“Ia ibarat satu kaset yang ada dua bahagian. Sebelum ini saya banyak menyanyikan lagu di bahagian A, tetapi untuk konsert kali ini, saya memilih untuk menyanyikan lagu daripada bahagian B pula.

“Lagu yang saya pilih ini ialah karya yang menjadi kegemaran saya, tetapi saya juga memastikan ia turut dikenali peminat. Saya cuma mengharapkan peminat faham apa yang cuba saya sampaikan dalam konsert itu nanti.

“Saya akan berlakon sedikit-sedikit, tetapi tidaklah membabitkan dialog. Apa yang ingin saya paparkan lebih kepada pengembaraan kerohanian seorang manusia,” katanya.

* Tiket menyaksikan konsert itu dijual dengan harga RM65 hingga RM455. Ia boleh didapati dengan melayari laman web ticket2u.biz, atau hubungi talian Hotline di 03-41478600 dan IB Box Office 03-21618134.

*Tambahan video : Berita Astro Awani mengenai Konsert Sang Pencinta

Sang Pencinta M Nasir

petikan Harian Metro 21 MaC 2013
Oleh Norhadiani Baharom

EMPAT tahun lalu, beliau menakluk Istana Budaya menerusi sebuah persembahan dinamakan Konsert Alam Muzik yang melakar sejarah tersendiri kepada pihak Istana Budaya, di mana ia diiktiraf antara produk terlaris dan paling berjaya pernah dipentaskan.

Kini, beliau kembali dan konsert yang diberi nama M Nasir Sang Pencinta bakal direncanakan pada 7 hingga 9 Jun nanti berkonsepkan semi muzikal. Ini sekali gus menawarkan kelainan yang belum pernah disaksikan dalam mana-mana persembahan Datuk M Nasir sebelum ini.
Semi Muzikal menurut M Nasir, konsep persembahan yang menuntut­nya melatih penghayatan bukan saja dalam bentuk nyanyian tetapi juga pergerakan bahasa tubuh yang bakal merangsang penonton menghayati lagu-lagunya.

“Konsert ini berbeza dari segi konsepnya kerana ia diselitkan unsur lakonan muzikal selain mengga­bungkan elemen audio dan visual menerusi visual mapping yang diadunkan.

“Saya akan berlakon tanpa dialog atau saya sebenarnya lebih senang menyifatkan ia sebagai satu pergerakan yang bersesuaian dengan visual bakal dipaparkan.

“Tidak banyak dapat dikongsi bersama kerana untuk mendapatkan penceritaan penuh konsert itu, perkara pertama harus dilakukan adalah menghimpunkan 20 seleksi lagu yang ingin disampaikan terlebih dulu. Setakat ini Kembara, Kupu Kupu, Demi Masa dan Ya Salam, sebahagian lagu dalam rencana persembahan saya.

“Apa yang boleh saya katakan di samping saya sendiri mempunyai idea bagaimana bentuk pergerakan bakal dilakukan nanti, tetapi bantuan beberapa koreografer turut memainkan peranan penting dalam pementasan konsert ini nanti.

“Harapan saya kalau boleh saya mahu menghi­dupkan suasana keterujaan penonton dalam mengembara bersama penyampaian lagu-lagu itu,” katanya ketika ditemui pada sidang akhbar Konsert M Nasir Sang Pencinta yang diadakan di restoran Bambu, kelmarin.

Turut hadir pada majlis penuh bermakna itu, Ketua Pengarah Istana Budaya, Datuk Juhari Shaarani dan Penerbit merangkap Pengarah Konsert dari Bombbay Worldwide, Zamberi Shaari termasuk Pengusaha Restoran Istana Bambu, Afandy Alias.

Penghibur terkenal dengan lagu Kembara itu menga­kui berbesar hati dapat kembali di pentas Istana Budaya yang disifatkannya antara pentas terbaik untuk persembahan konsert akustik di negara.

“Kita harus wujudkan lebih banyak pentas per­sembahan yang berprestij di negara ini kerana bilangan pentas yang bagus boleh dikira dengan jari dan keadaan itu membuatkan pe­nyanyi lebih senang meng­gunakan khidmat lokasi pentas yang sama setiap kali mengadakan konsert.

“Punca sesetengah persembahan gagal kerana mereka berada di pentas yang salah. Istana Budaya misalnya serba lengkap baik dari segi kepakaran dan teknologi menawarkan satu bentuk persembahan yang hebat,” katanya yang mempunyai perancangan menga­dakan konsert ber­skala besar tidak lama lagi.

Khazanah muzik M Nasir 

Konsert M Nasir Sang Pencinta ini adalah sebahagian daripada Program Istana Budaya 2013 yang bakal menampilkan khazanah muzik hasil gubahan M Nasir dengan menampilkan persembahan penuh gilang gemilang dan pasti dapat mencuri perhatian khalayak pencinta muzik tanah air melalui sentuhan elemen fantasi yang pasti akan membuat penonton terhibur secara audio dan visual.

Dibawakan Bombbay Worldwide dengan kerjasama Red on Black dan Belbis serta sokongan Istana Budaya menampilkan Aznan Alias sebagai Muzikal Di­rektor dan Mohd Rafi Shafie selaku ‘string arranger’.

Kehebatan konsert M Nasir Sang Pencinta akan terserlah dengan gabungan pemuzik handalan tahah air serta iringan string daripada OSK (Orkestra Simfoni Kebangsaan) dan cantuman hebat daripada gamelan OTM (Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia) pasti membawa satu pembaharuan yang lebih baik buat karya muzik M Nasir untuk peminat setianya.

Ciri-ciri mewah konsert ini turut mempengaruhi harga jualan tiket dengan kadar harga RM65, RM85, RM145, RM185, RM225, RM245, RM265, RM325 dan RM455, yang jauh lebih mahal jika dibanding­kan dengan Konsert Alam Muzik.

Penerbit merangkap Pengarah Konsert dari Bombbay Worldwide, Zamberi Shaari berkata, sekalipun harga tiket yang dijual agak mahal namun ia berbaloi dengan apa yang ingin ditonjolkan.

“Kami akui harga tiket agak mahal namun sebagai penganjur, kami memastikan apa yang ditawarkan dari segi kehebatan visual dan audio terbaik berbaloi dengan pelaburan penonton dan peminat Datuk M Nasir,” katanya.

Bagi yang ingin menempah tiket, layari www.ticket2u.biz atau hubungi talian Hotline di 03-41478600 atau IB Box Office iaitu 03-21618134.

Nasir hits comeback trail

taken from The Malay Mail  21 March  2013
by Gayathri Kunasegaran

Sang Pecinta brings sifu full circle

JUBILANT: Nasir (third, right) with the producers of the show

WITH so many kudos to his name, one has a hard time trying to decide how to address the charming and multi-talented Datuk M. Nasir, but the man is cool. We just call him Sifu (mandarin for ‘master’).

After a hiatus, and fortunately for us, since performing at Konsert Alam Musik, four years ago, the jovial Singaporeborn Malaysian poet, composer and producer — Datuk Mohamad Nasir Mohamad — will be rubbing his hands with glee, thanks to a collaboration with the producer and the director of Bombbay Worldwide — a new concert titled Sang Pencinta.

LOCAL POET PRINCE: Nasir will touch souls with Sang Pencinta

With this upcoming concert, the poet aims to touch souls even more. Sang Pecinta will be a two-hour spectacular to be staged from June 7-9 at Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. Speaking of a fantasy theme, Nasir said the show would be exciting, a blend of 3D lookalikes with a combination of audio and visual experience for his fans.

During a recent interview, Nasir said that Sang Pencinta inherently possesses a symphonic quality, one that will inspire the younger generation in a way that’s peculiar, compared to other local performances.

Sang Pecinta, however, is still a work in progress. With support from Red On Black & Belbis, Bombbay Worldwide has been organising concerts for mega artistes at the Istana Budaya and is involved in this to bring an amazing piece of work for fans of M. Nasir.

For Sang Pencinta, Nasir is collaborating with musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra (OSK) and National Traditional Orchestra (OTM).

“This concert will be a new experience for all,” said the singer-songwriter, whose most popular and evergreen hit songs have included Gong, Canggung, Akar and Andalusia.

Tickets to Sang Pencinta are priced at RM65, RM85, RM145, RM185, RM225, RM245, RM265, RM325 and RM 455 and are available at ticket2u.biz.

For more information, call 03 4147 8600 or 03 2161 8134

Konsert Sang Pencinta - M Nasir di Istana Budaya

sumber : Utusan Malaysia

Petang tadi telah berlangsung sidang media Konsert Sang Pencinta - M Nasir di Istana Bambu, Jalan Ampang. Konsert yang akan berlangsung di Istana Budaya pada  7, 8 & 9 Jun 2013 ini dibawakan oleh Bombbay Worldwide bersama rakan setianya, Red On Black serta Belbis. Hadir sama pada sidang akhbar petang tadi ialah Ketua Pengarah Istana Budaya, Datuk Juhari Shaarani.

Dalam sesi soal jawab, Bombbay menjelaskan konsert Sang Pencinta dijangka mengambil masa dua jam ke dua jam setengah dan ia adalah kembaraan dalam seni menggunakan visual mapping iaitu visual artistik. Visual mapping akan dibahagikan kepada tiga dimensi dan setiap satu berkaitan dengan muzik dan lagu yang akan disampaikan oleh M. Nasir kelak.

Tiket untuk menyaksikan Konsert M. Nasir Sang Pencinta sudah boleh didapati di www.ticket2u.biz atau boleh hubungi pihak IB Box Office di talian 03 21618134.

**Untuk membaca laporan penuh sidang media tadi bolehlah layari laman Utusan ini
*** Untuk melihat video pendek sidang media itu sila ikuti link ini . video 1 / video 2 / video 3/ video 4/ video 5 / video 6 / video 7
**** tambahan video : temubual Konsert Kembaraan M Nasir

Pentas Konsert Di Malaysia Kualiti Rendah - M. Nasir

petikan Mstar 19 Mac 2013
Oleh FERIDE HIKMET ATAK

AMPANG: Kemudahan pentas untuk tujuan persembahan di negara ini masih berkualiti rendah membuatkan penyanyi tempatan terpaksa menggunakan pentas yang sama jika ingin mengadakan konsert.

Karyawan Datuk M.Nasir berkata, jumlah pentas yang benar-benar berkualiti adalah terhad mengakibatkan para artis gagal memberikan persembahan terbaik kerana berada pada tempat yang salah.

“Bilangan pentas bagus boleh dikira dengan jari dan keadaan itu membuatkan para penyanyi lebih senang menggunakan khidmat lokasi pentas yang sama setiap kali mengadakan konsert.

"Ramai penyanyi gagal memberikan persembahan terbaik kerana mereka berada di pentas yang salah. Sebenarnya pemilihan pentas amatlah penting bagi yang ingin mengadakan konsert,” katanya. Beliau temui pada sidang media konsert ‘M.Nasir Sang Pencipta’ di restoran Istana Bambu, di sini, Selasa.

Tambah penyanyi lagu Mustika itu, keadaan tersebut juga membuatkan dia lebih senang beraksi di pentas Istana Budaya (IB) kerana mempunyai kelengkapan yang cukup.

Katanya, sesebuah pentas yang berprestij perlu meliputi beberapa perkara termasuklah daripada segi teknikal bagi konsert akustik atau elektrik selain reka bentuknya yang turut memainkan peranan bagi menarik perhatian penonton.

Sementara itu mengenai konsertnya, ia bakal diadakan pada 7 hingga 9 Jun 2013 di Panggung Sari IB anjuran Bombbay Worldwide.

Beritahu M.Nasir, konsert berkenaan adalah berbeza dari segi konsepnya kerana ia diselitkan dengan unsur-unsur lakonan muzikal selain menggabungkan elemen audio dan visual menerusi visual mapping yang diadunkan.

"Saya akan berlakon tanpa dialog tetapi hanya menerusi lagu-lagu yang saya bawakan.

"Kalau boleh saya mahu menghidupkan suasana keterujaan penonton dalam mengembara bersama penyampaian lagu-lagu itu.

"Ada juga beberapa koreografer yang ditampilkan dan semua itu masih lagi dalam persiapan. Insya-Allah para penonton akan terhibur dengan persembahan saya nanti," katanya.

Bagi yang ingin menempah tiket, layari www.ticket2u.biz atau hubungi talian Hotline di 03-41478600 atau IB Box Office iaitu 03-21618134.

Tiket-tiket dijual pada harga RM65, RM85, RM145, RM185, RM225, RM245, RM265, RM325 dan RM455.

Kembara hasilkan single untuk peminat

petikan astroawani  11 Mac 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Ekspres Rakyat, Gerhana, Hati Emas, Kolar Biru dan Duit merupakan antara lagu-lagu kumpulan Kembara yang menjadi siulan anak muda awal 80-an.

Hingga kini, setelah lebih 20 tahun, lagu-lagu dari kumpulan Kembara masih menjadi pilihan penggemar muzik tanah air.

Menyedari Kembara dan lagu-lagu senandung rakyat mereka yang masih mendapat tempat, anggota kumpulan tersebut berhasrat untuk menerbitkan single terbaru sebagai hadiah kepada peminat yang masih menyokong mereka.

Salah seorang pengasas kumpulan Kembara, Datuk M. Nasir yang masih aktif berkarya hingga hari ini berkata, selain single baru, kumpulan tersebut juga berhasrat untuk merakam semula semua lagu-lagu lama mereka dalam bentuk akustik.

"Berkemungkinan kami akan merakam semula semua lagu-lagu kami sebelum ini ataupun hanya fokus kepada penciptaan lagu baru sahaja," katanya ketika ditemui semasa sesi latihan untuk Konsert Ekspres Rakyat Kembara di Muzium Toko, Yayasan warisan di Johor Bahru baru-baru ini.

Sementara itu, bagi A.Ali, perbincangan untuk menerbitkan sebuah single baru sedang berjalan bersama syarikat rakaman Luncai Emas.

Beliau menjelaskan ketiga-tiga anggota Kembara perlu duduk bersama-sama mencari melodi yang sesuai dan membuat susunan muzik yang beridentiti Kembara.

Katanya lirik pula akan diserahkan kepada S. Amin Shahab atau M.Nasir kerana Kembara lebih sinonim dengan lirik ciptaan mereka berdua.

"10 lagu atau 12 lagu lama sahaja tidak mencukupi. Oleh itu kami perlu ,membuat lagu baru untuk Kembara.

"Kami akan berusaha mencari melodi yang sesuai dengan konsep Kembara. Untuk memperoleh hasil ini, kami bertiga perlu berkumpul bagi mendapatkan lagu dengan identiti Kembara" kata A.Ali yang pernah memenangi Anugerah Juara Lagu tahun 1987 menerusi lagu Menaruh Harapan nyanyian Zaiton Sameon.

Sementara seorang lagi anggota Kembara, Sahlan berkata, Kembara  berkemungkinan bakal keluar dengan sebuah single baru kerana mereka bertiga benar-benar berjiwa muzik.

Dalam perkembangan yang sama, Kembara bakal mengadakan sebuah konsert di Esplanade Singapura pada 30 Mac nanti.

Ini merupakan konsert pertama mereka selepas 20 tahun tidak mengadakan persembahan bersama.

Konsert Ekspres Rakyat Kembara akan menampilkan kesemua anggota asal kumpulan tersebut dan ia menjadi salah satu konsert yang dinanti-nantikan oleh peminat di Singapura kerana Kembara merupakan ikon muzik negara tersebut.

Bagi penerbit bersekutu Konsert Ekpres Rakyat Kembara, Norhayati Yusuf, kumpulan ini dipilih kerana mereka membawa kelainan berbanding kumpulan muzik lain.

Selain itu Kembara dipilih kerana kualiti lagu dan muzik yang mereka bawakan yang masih tiada gantinya.

Perbincangan untuk mengadakan konsert ini sudah dilakukan sejak setahun yang lalu bersama beberapa pihak termasuk anggota kumpulan Kembara.

"Mereka membawa kelainan untuk pemuzik dan juga peminat di Singapura, Malaysia dan mungkin juga di Indonesia. Saya tahu ramai peminat di luar sana yang menanti-nantikan kepulangan mereka, dan semua ini disebabkan oleh kualiti yang akan dibawa oleh kumpulan Kembara," kata Norhayati.

Katanya Kembara mempunyai pengaruh yang besar dikalangan pemuzik tempatan termasuk pemuzik muda.

"Ramai yang merindukan lagu-lagu yang berkualiti seperti ini dan anda pasti dapat mendengar lagu-lagu seperti di konsert Kembara nanti," katanya yang turut merancang persembahan beberapa artis lain di Esplanade tahun ini.

Bagi M. Nasir, nostalgia ketika bersama Kembara masih aktif mungkin tidak dapat dirasakan semasa konsert di Esplanade nanti. Namun katanya, dengan semua anggota asal masih bersama, kerinduan peminat terhadap Kembara akan terubat.

Selepas konsert di Singapura, kumpulan Kembara berhasrat untuk mengadakan konsert di Kuala Lumpur dan beberapa tempat lain.

Untuk konsert selama lebih dua jam ini nanti, latihan telah diadakan sejak beberapa bulan yang lalu.

Ini kerana, mereka tidak mahu berada di atas pentas tanpa persediaan yang rapi hingga menghilangkan kualiti kumpulan Kembara yang pernah dikenali.

“Latihan amat penting dan kami perlu bersikap serius bagi menghadapi konsert ini," kata A.Ali yang menegaskan Kembara bukan hanya muzik tetapi perjalanan setiap individu dalam menempuh hidup.

Sementara Zoul Muhamad yang menggantikan A.Ali dalam Kembara berkata konsert ‘reunion’ ini memberi makna tersendiri. Beliau yang bersama Kembara pada tahun 1984 menyifatkan penyertaannya bersama kumpulan tersebut sesuatu yang tidak diduga.

"Menggantikan A.Ali dalam Kembara merupakan satu langkah yang besar dalam karier muzik saya," kata Zoul.

Mereka berharap konsert ini akan menjadi kenangan terindah buat semua peminat muzik terutama peminat kumpulan Kembara dan mampu mengubat kerinduan sebahagian besar mereka yang lama menantikannya.

*Untuk melihat petikan berita & temubual mengenai persiapan Kembara ke Espalanade layari video ini.  VIDEO BERITA 1 (1:21 minit) :  VIDEO BERITA 2 (3:19 minit) 

Video Latihan Kembara dari Youtube

Big brother of Malay music

taken from AsiaOne The Straits Times 10 February 2013
Eddino Abdul Hadi, Music Correspondent

Singapore-born singer-songwriter M. Nasir, who was just named the highest- earning composer in Malaysia again, reunites with his group for a concert here. -ST

He has composed and sung more than 1,000 folk, rock and pop songs, including some that went on to be favourites on Malay radio in Singapore and across the Causeway, including Isabella, Tanya Sama Itu Hud Hud (Ask The Woodpecker) and Keroncong Untuk Ana (Keroncong For Ana).

Yet Singapore-born music stalwart M. Nasir could have had a different career path if he had followed his original calling - to be a painter.

The 55-year-old, who is getting back together with influential Malay folk band Kembara after 25 years for a concert here next month, once had plans of making it as a painter in France.

"Back in the 1970s, when I was an art student studying at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, I was going through what I would call my 'bohemian' phase and my dream was to be a painter in Paris," he tells Life! in a telephone interview conducted in Malay from his base in Selangor.

"Somewhere along the line, the music took over and brought me to where I am today."

And where he is today is somewhere pretty special on the local music scene, even if he did graduate with a diploma in Western painting.

In an industry that is known for its transience and highly competitive nature, Nasir two months ago was named the highest-earning local composer by Music Authors' Copyright Protection Berhad, the Malaysian licensing organisation that handles royalties for songwriters and composers there. It was the 13th time that he had won the award.

He became a Malaysian citizen in 1989 and holds the honorific title of Datuk there.

The publishing company and record label that he founded in 1990, Luncai Emas, was named Top Local Music Publisher.

Although the actual figures are not revealed, a report in Berita Harian last year estimates that he collects at least RM300,000 (S$120,000) in royalties alone annually from the songs that he has composed and written lyrics for.

Nasir has come along way since starting out as a lyricist and composer in the late 1970s. In a title that hints at his love for painting then, his first album as a singer back in 1981 was called Untuk Pencinta Seni (For Art Lovers).

But clearly even then, he had artistic flair when it came to writing songs - one of his early tunes, Kenangan Lalu (Past Memories), has even been covered by late Taiwanese songstress Teresa Teng, who sang a Cantonese version in 1983.

However, it was his time as the frontman in Kembara that thrust him fully into the spotlight.

The band's self-titled debut album, released in the later part of 1981, was a success. Their self-proclaimed "communal folk songs" reflected social issues faced by the man in the street.

Blue-collar anthems such as Bas No. 13, which waxes lyrical about taking SBS bus service number 13 to Geylang Serai, and Duit, a song about being obsessed with money, resonated with fans and are evergreen hits still played regularly on Malay radio.

Of his upcoming concert here, the man, whose full name is Mohamad Nasir Mohamed but is affectionately called "Sifu" (Mandarin for "master") by music industry insiders, chuckles: "I think the last time I took the number 13 bus was 30 years ago. But I think some of these songs are still relevant today. For the older fans, I think this concert will take them back in time to when these songs became popular."

The line-up includes his brother Zulkifli Mohamed - better known as Zoul - on guitars, Shahrum Basiron on drums, Rahman Suri on bass and Mohd Shah Othman on keyboards. All are in their 50s and 60s. It will also include cameos by past members A. Ali and S. Sahlan.

As at press time, all the ticket categories for the March 30 concert - Nasir's third at the Esplanade Concert Hall - are still available. This upcoming concert was rescheduled from last April.

After Kembara disbanded in 1986, Nasir started going to Malaysia to focus more on his lyrics and songwriting rather than his own music.

"There was a lot more opportunities for me in Malaysia because the music scene is much bigger than in Singapore. Kuala Lumpur was the centre of activity for the Malay music industry. It would have been difficult for me to make much of an impact if I were based far away in Singapore."

The late 1980s and 1990s solidified his reputation as a hit-making songwriter and producer. From folk music, he turned to rock ballads, and churned out hit after hit for Malaysian rock bands such as Search and Wings, for whom he wrote some of their most recognisable songs.

For his solo outputs, he took a vastly different approach, fusing contemporary pop music with ethnic influences.

"I listen to a wide variety of music, whether it's rock, traditional, folk or pop. At the same time, I keep abreast of what's happening in the current music scene, what the younger generation is listening to. I like to keep up with whatever is new in music."

To date, he has released seven solo albums which include Solo (1988), Saudagar Mimpi (Dream Merchant, 1992) and Srikandi Cintaku (My Love Heroine, 1999), while Kembara count seven albums in their discography.

Nasir is a Malay music icon who ushered in a new era in modern Malay music, says Yusnor Ef, veteran lyricist and president of Perkamus, the Association of Malay Singers, Composers and Professional Musicians.

The 76-year-old adds: "He writes songs that reflect the soul of the people. His lyrics are poetic and they stand out from the mushy love songs that are prevalent on the airwaves.

"He is also not afraid to use both modern and traditional instruments to create unique new sounds that have influenced a new generation of songwriters."

Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah, 31, says that working with Nasir taught him that it was possible to be both a popular singer and successful songwriter.

"His music is a constant evolution and through him, I learnt to be flexible and to never be biased against any genre of music in my songwriting and production work."

More than just a music man, Nasir has also made an impact on the silver screen. His early foray into the world of film began with Malaysian film Kembara Seniman Jalanan (A Street Artist's Adventures, 1986), for which he wrote the script and played the lead role as a folk singer who has to deal with the seedier side of the music industry.

His most prominent role is playing legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah in multi-award winning Malaysian epic Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004).

He also directed Merah (Red, 1996), a romance/ action flick that won Best Film at Malaysian film award Anugerah Skrin and was a finalist in the East Asia Film Festival and Asia Pacific Film Festival.

"I have always been into films ever since I was a child," he says. "As I grew older, I got into the performing arts. I was hanging out with musician friends but at the same I time I was also getting involved in theatre and dance and I even tried out voice acting for radio."

Music runs in the family - three of his sons play in indie-rock outfit Pitahati, which is also signed to Luncai Emas.

Nasir has four sons aged 26, 24, 21 and 17, and a daughter, 14, from his marriage to singer Junainah Johari, who died in 1998. He married actress and arts lecturer Marlia Musa in 2000 and the couple have an 11-year-old daughter.

Today, when he is not busy with his music or running his publishing and record company, Nasir picks up his paint brushes and turns to his old love. Asked if he still harbours his dream of being a professional painter and ever thinks about selling his artwork, he laughs.

"I think I will stick to making music. I don't think anyone would want to buy my paintings anyway."

dinohadi@sph.com.sg

CAREER HIGH NOTES

1957: Born in Singapore and grows up in Teck Whye.

1978: Graduates from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts with a diploma in Western painting.

1979: Publishes his first lyrics, Senandung Semalam (Yesterday's Serenade), which becomes a hit for pop-rock band Alleycats. Nasir also releases his debut solo album, Untuk Pencinta Seni (For Art Lovers), and forms folk-rock outfit Kembara with musicians and singers and S. Sahlan and A. Ali.

1981: Kembara release their self-titled debut album and it becomes a hit, selling 25,000 copies. Songs such as Hati Emas and Ekspres Rakyat are played regularly on the radio.

1985: Produces the debut album by rock band Search, Cinta Buatan Malaysia (Love Made In Malaysia). The group go on to become one of Malaysia's most successful bands, with Nasir producing and composing songs for many of their hit albums. Azura, the title track that he composed for a romance flick of the same name, wins Best Song at the year's Malaysia Film Festival.

1986: Makes his big screen debut as the lead actor and scriptwriter for Kembara Seniman Jalanan (Adventures Of A Street Artist), a drama about a busker trying to make it in the music industry. Kembara releases the movie's soundtrack, their seventh and last release before the group disband.

1990: Sets up publishing house and record label Luncai Emas. Besides his own compositions, the company handles works by other lyricists and composers, and now counts more than 4,000 songs in its catalogue.

1994: He sets a record by winning four out of the five awards he was nominated for at the Malaysian music awards show, Juara Lagu. His song, Tanya Sama Itu Hud Hud (Ask The Woodpecker), wins Song Of The Year, Best Pop Rock Song and Best Performance, while Bonda wins Best Traditional Malaysian Song.

1995: Gets voted as the Most Popular Artiste at Malaysian entertainment industry awards show Anugerah Bintang-Bintang Popular. He wins the same award again in 2001.

1996: Makes his big screen directorial debut with romance/action flick Merah (Red), which stars himself, as well as popular singers Awie and Ziana Zain. It wins the Best Film at Malaysian film awards show Anugerah Skrin.

2001: Wins Best Male Vocal Performance and Best Rock Album Producer at Malaysian music awards show Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM).

2004: Nasir plays the starring role as Malay legend Hang Tuah (with Tiara Jacquelina) in fantasy epic Puteri Gunung Ledang. A box-office hit, it wins five awards at the 2004 Malaysian Film Festival.

2011: His composition, Awan Nano (Nano Cloud), sung by pop singer Hafiz wins Best Overall Song at Juara Lagu, the fourth time that he has won the grand prize at the annual Malaysian awards show. The song also wins both Best Overall Song and Best Malaysian Song at regional Malay music awards show Anugerah Planet Muzik.

2012: Wins Top Composer accolade based on royalty earnings at the Music Author Copyright Protection Awards, his 13th such win at the annual event. Luncai Emas is named Top Local Music Publisher.

2013: Kembara regroup for a reunion show at the Esplanade Concert Hall.

'Grandmaster' M. Nasir to perform in S'pore for the first time in 25 years

taken from lollipop.sg

He has composed and sung more than 1,000 folk, rock and pop songs, including some that went on to be favourites on Malay radio in Singapore and across the Causeway, including Isabella, Tanya Sama Itu Hud Hud (Ask The Woodpecker) and Keroncong Untuk Ana (Keroncong For Ana).

Yet Singapore-born music stalwart M. Nasir could have had a different career path if he had followed his original calling – to be a painter.

The 55-year-old, who is getting back together with influential Malay folk band Kembara after 25 years for a concert here next month, once had plans of making it as a painter in France.

“Back in the 1970s, when I was an art student studying at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, I was going through what I would call my ‘bohemian’ phase and my dream was to be a painter in Paris,” he tells Life! in a telephone interview conducted in Malay from his base in Selangor.

“Somewhere along the line, the music took over and brought me to where I am today.”

And where he is today is somewhere pretty special on the local music scene, even if he did graduate with a diploma in Western painting.

In an industry that is known for its transience and highly competitive nature, Nasir two months ago was named the highest-earning local composer by Music Authors’ Copyright Protection Berhad, the Malaysian licensing organisation that handles royalties for songwriters and composers there. It was the 13th time that he had won the award.

He became a Malaysian citizen in 1989 and holds the honorific title of Datuk there.

The publishing company and record label that he founded in 1990, Luncai Emas, was named Top Local Music Publisher.

Although the actual figures are not revealed, a report in Berita Harian last year estimates that he collects at least RM300,000 (S$120,000) in royalties alone annually from the songs that he has composed and written lyrics for.

Nasir has come along way since starting out as a lyricist and composer in the late 1970s. In a title that hints at his love for painting then, his first album as a singer back in 1981 was called Untuk Pencinta Seni (For Art Lovers).

But clearly even then, he had artistic flair when it came to writing songs – one of his early tunes, Kenangan Lalu (Past Memories), has even been covered by late Taiwanese songstress Teresa Teng, who sang a Cantonese version in 1983.

However, it was his time as the frontman in Kembara that thrust him fully into the spotlight.

The band’s self-titled debut album, released in the later part of 1981, was a success. Their self-proclaimed “communal folk songs” reflected social issues faced by the man in the street.

Blue-collar anthems such as Bas No. 13, which waxes lyrical about taking SBS bus service number 13 to Geylang Serai, and Duit, a song about being obsessed with money, resonated with fans and are evergreen hits still played regularly on Malay radio.

Of his upcoming concert here, the man, whose full name is Mohamad Nasir Mohamed but is affectionately called “Sifu” (Mandarin for “master”) by music industry insiders, chuckles: “I think the last time I took the number 13 bus was 30 years ago. But I think some of these songs are still relevant today. For the older fans, I think this concert will take them back in time to when these songs became popular.”

The line-up includes his brother Zulkifli Mohamed – better known as Zoul – on guitars, Shahrum Basiron on drums, Rahman Suri on bass and Mohd Shah Othman on keyboards. All are in their 50s and 60s. It will also include cameos by past members A. Ali and S. Sahlan.

As at press time, all the ticket categories for the March 30 concert – Nasir’s third at the Esplanade Concert Hall – are still available. This upcoming concert was rescheduled from last April.

After Kembara disbanded in 1986, Nasir started going to Malaysia to focus more on his lyrics and songwriting rather than his own music.

“There was a lot more opportunities for me in Malaysia because the music scene is much bigger than in Singapore. Kuala Lumpur was the centre of activity for the Malay music industry. It would have been difficult for me to make much of an impact if I were based far away in Singapore.”

The late 1980s and 1990s solidified his reputation as a hit-making songwriter and producer. From folk music, he turned to rock ballads, and churned out hit after hit for Malaysian rock bands such as Search and Wings, for whom he wrote some of their most recognisable songs.

For his solo outputs, he took a vastly different approach, fusing contemporary pop music with ethnic influences.

“I listen to a wide variety of music, whether it’s rock, traditional, folk or pop. At the same time, I keep abreast of what’s happening in the current music scene, what the younger generation is listening to. I like to keep up with whatever is new in music.”

To date, he has released seven solo albums which include Solo (1988), Saudagar Mimpi (Dream Merchant, 1992) and Srikandi Cintaku (My Love Heroine, 1999), while Kembara count seven albums in their discography.

Nasir is a Malay music icon who ushered in a new era in modern Malay music, says Yusnor Ef, veteran lyricist and president of Perkamus, the Association of Malay Singers, Composers and Professional Musicians.

The 76-year-old adds: “He writes songs that reflect the soul of the people. His lyrics are poetic and they stand out from the mushy love songs that are prevalent on the airwaves.
“He is also not afraid to use both modern and traditional instruments to create unique new sounds that have influenced a new generation of songwriters.”

Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah, 31, says that working with Nasir taught him that it was possible to be both a popular singer and successful songwriter.

“His music is a constant evolution and through him, I learnt to be flexible and to never be biased against any genre of music in my songwriting and production work.”

More than just a music man, Nasir has also made an impact on the silver screen. His early foray into the world of film began with Malaysian film Kembara Seniman Jalanan (A Street Artist’s Adventures, 1986), for which he wrote the script and played the lead role as a folk singer who has to deal with the seedier side of the music industry.

His most prominent role is playing legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah in multi-award winning Malaysian epic Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004).

He also directed Merah (Red, 1996), a romance/ action flick that won Best Film at Malaysian film award Anugerah Skrin and was a finalist in the East Asia Film Festival and Asia Pacific Film Festival.

“I have always been into films ever since I was a child,” he says. “As I grew older, I got into the performing arts. I was hanging out with musician friends but at the same I time I was also getting involved in theatre and dance and I even tried out voice acting for radio.”

Music runs in the family – three of his sons play in indie-rock outfit Pitahati, which is also signed to Luncai Emas.

Nasir has four sons aged 26, 24, 21 and 17, and a daughter, 14, from his marriage to singer Junainah Johari, who died in 1998. He married actress and arts lecturer Marlia Musa in 2000 and the couple have an 11-year-old daughter.

Today, when he is not busy with his music or running his publishing and record company, Nasir picks up his paint brushes and turns to his old love. Asked if he still harbours his dream of being a professional painter and ever thinks about selling his artwork, he laughs.

“I think I will stick to making music. I don’t think anyone would want to buy my paintings anyway.”

Kembara kembali?

petikan Cyberita

KEMBARA TULEN: Bekas anggota Kembara, A. Ali (kanan) dan S. Sahlan (duduk) turut dijemput bagi menjayakan konsert Ekspress Rakyat. - Foto fail KEMBARA KINI: Anggota Kembara yang bakal beraksi dalam konsert pada 30 Mac ini terdiri daripada (dari kiri) Shahrum Basiron (pemain dram); Mohd Shah Othman (pemain kibod); M. Nasir (penyanyi utama); Rahman Suri (pemain bes) dan Zoul (pemain gitar utama). Turut terlibat tetapi tidak ada dalam gambar ialah pengarah muzik Rahman Akib.
- Foto ESPLANADE THEATRE BY THE BAY

KONSERT: Ekspres Rakyat oleh Kembara.

TARIKH: 30 Mac, 8 malam.

TEMPAT: Dewan Konsert Esplanade.

DIPERSEMBAHKAN OLEH:

Esplanade Teater Di Pesisiran.

TIKET: $75, $55, $35 (tidak termasuk yuran Sistic). Boleh didapatkan di Sistic.

Sempena konsert, Datuk M. Nasir akan mengadakan Bengkel Penulis Lagu pada 29 Mac, dari 3 petang hingga 6 petang, di studio latihan Esplanade.

Penyertaan terhad kepada 20 orang. Yuran $60. Untuk pendaftaran sila e-mel kepada ynorhayati@esplanade.com.

BERTIGA atau berlima? Yang original atau kumpulan generasi kedua?

Inilah antara soalan yang selalu memeningkan anggota kumpulan popular era 80-an, Kembara, setiap kali kisah kumpulan ini diperkatakan, termasuk untuk urusan persembahan dan publisiti.

"Dari dulu sampai sekarang, kami kena jawab tentang barisan anggota Kembara. Sama ada tiga atau lima, sebenarnya dari mula sampai sekarang orangnya itu, itu juga," kata Mohd Shah Othman, pemain kibod kumpulan itu.

Apa yang beliau maksudkan ialah Kembara, biarpun secara dasarnya dikenali sebagai kumpulan trio yang dianggotai Datuk M. Nasir, A. Ali dan S. Sahlan, ia sebenarnya sejak mula telah turut mendapat sokongan tenaga dan kreativiti daripada anggota lain yang disebut para pemerhati muzik sebagai "generasi kedua" Kembara.

Mereka ialah M. Nasir sebagai penyanyi utama; Shahrum Basiron, 60 tahun, sebagai pemain dram; Rahman Suri, 59 tahun, sebagai pemain bes; Zulkifli Mohamed atau Zoul, pemain gitar utama; dan Mohd Shah Othman.

Kesemua pemuzik ini masih aktif, sama ada sebagai sesionist, pengarah muzik atau pemuzik di pusat hiburan.

Bahkan seorang lagi anggota, pengarah muzik Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Abdul Rahman Akib, juga merupakan sebahagian tenaga penting Kembara sejak mula ditubuhkan, tetapi tidak pernah ditampilkan sebagai 'orang depan'.

Bahkan menurut Shahrum, penyanyi adik beradik Eddynor Ali dan Eddy Ali juga pernah muncul dalam permulaan Kembara ditubuhkan.

Ini yang didedahkan dalam satu interviu ekslusif dengan Berita Minggu di pejabat Esplanade Teater Di Pesisiran baru-baru ini.

Semua anggota 'generasi kedua' Kembara hadir, termasuk M. Nasir, yang bercakap menerusi tele-sidang dari Kuala Lumpur.

"Saya masih ingat... semasa di bangunan Wisma (kini Wisma Atria), Nasir yang masa itu sedang melukis batik, ada berkata mahu tubuhkan kumpulan. Dia cari A.Ali... mati-mati nak A.Ali masuk kumpulan ini... macam idola pula. Tetapi soal muzik, nasihat orang lain pun diambil termasuk nasihat Eddy Marzuki," kata Shahrum.

Rahman Suri pula menambah: "Untuk urusan pemasaran, tak perlulah ramai-ramai kedepan. Sebab itu mula-mula cuma Nasir, A.Ali dan Sahlan saja yang dikenalkan. Kami semua memberi sokongan permainan muzik, suara dan rakaman di studio, dari belakang tabir. Jadi apabila Ali dan Sahlan sudah tidak aktif kerana sibuk dengan urusan masing-masing, Nasir tak perlu cari ganti sebab sejak penubuhan kumpulan ini, susah senang kami memang sudah bersama."

MUZIK NUSANTARA

Menurut Nasir penubuhan Kembara pada 1981 di tengah-tengah populariti kumpulan Sweet Charity dan Black Dog Bone ketika itu adalah untuk menawarkan kelainan dalam irama Nusantara tanpa mengurangkan "semangat hard rock". Inspirasi datang dengan menggabungkan jiwa rakyat Melayu dengan pop santai irama The Beatles.

"Masa tu terlalu banyak muzik saduran. Nak hidup lama dalam industri ini, kita kena buat lagu lagu sendiri," kata Nasir, yang ternyata hari ini merupakan seniman Melayu paling 'kaya' dengan karya lagu ciptaannya sendiri.

"Harmoni juga penting. Lirik kena puitis, tetapi berjiwa rakyat... barulah boleh dinamakan Kembara," tambahnya.

Kalau boyband hari ini terlalu memementingkan aspek "wajah komersial" atau pakej lengkap untuk diketengahkan dalam industri hiburan, Kembara hanya bersandarkan kepada lagu yang kuat, baik dari segi irama yang menjadi halwa telinga, hinggalah kepada lirik yang mencuit perasan dan gabungan suara yang cukup harmoni.

Album pertama mereka, Kembara (1981), yang mengandungi lagu popular Hati Emas, meluncurkan terus kerjaya mereka dengan penjualan 25,000 unit album. Sehingga 1986, album Kembara dikeluarkan satu setiap tahun oleh syarikat rakaman Polygram.

GADUH DENGAN A.ALI?

Namun, pengunduran A. Ali dan S.Sahlan daripada Kembara selepas album ketiga menimbulkan banyak spekulasi. Ada yang pernah bisikan kepada wartawan bahawa pergaduhan pernah tercetus antara Nasir dan Ali. Benarkah begitu?

Apabila soalan itu ditanyakan pada 'sifu' muzik itu secara langsung, beliau agak jengkel.

"Mana ada gaduh.? Gaduh dengan you, adalah!" katanya antara serius dengan bersenda. "Tak adalah... biasalah kalau beza pendapat. Tetapi tak gaduh pun," kata Nasir lagi.

Dalam perbualan hari itu, Mohd Shah, yang kini aktif bersama Yayasan Warisan Johor, sempat berkongsi pengalaman ketika mereka di studio untuk mencari lagu.

"Nasir ni selenge. Masuk studio, biasanya lagu belum siap... kadang kala belum ada apa-apa lagi. Kena banyak bersabar. Macam mana kita sibuk pun, tak boleh desak dia buat kerja cepat-cepat. Tetapi bila ilham keluar, lagunya memang baik," ujarnya.

Lagu-lagu yang dihasilkan, majoriti adalah ilham pengalaman sendiri. Seperti lagu Bas No. 13 (1982), merupakan khidmas bas yang selalu mereka naiki, melalui Geylang Serai ke bandar.

TAK SUKA LAGU PEREMPUAN

Satu lagi kerenah Nasir, kata Shahrum pula, ialah sikapnya yang tidak suka menggunaka nama wanita dalam lagu.

"Kita ada buat lagu dengan lirik... Rita Rita... tetapi Nasir tak mahu pakai nama perempuan. Jadi kita tukar kepada Duit Duit untuk lagu Duit sebab masa itu memang tengah sesak," selorohnya.

Bagaimanapun, Kembara tetap mempunyai sebuah lagu menggunakan nama wanita, iaitu Rozita.

Kumpulan tersebut agak sepi selepas menghasilkan tujuh album apabila Nasir memulakan kembaranya ke Kuala Lumpur sekitar peretengahan 80-an. Ketika itu beliau sudah pun popular sebagai penggubah lagu baru kumpulan Search, Wings dan turut terlibat dalam pembikinan filem termasuk filem Seniman Jalanan.

"Kami tak ikut Nasir ke KL sebab kami ada tanggungjawab keluarga di Singapura. Rezeki kami masih di sini," kata Rahman lagi.

Nasir akui sebelum ini tidak ada usaha menyatukan anggota Kembara kembali kerana kesibukan masing-masing. Usaha untuk konsert gabungan mereka telah dibuat tahun lalu, tetapi terpaksa dibatalkan kerana mereka gagal mendapatkan tarikh yang dapat mengumpulkan semua anggota.

Tetapi untuk Konsert Ekspres Rakyat pada 30 Mac ini di Dewan Konsert Esplanade, Nasir berkata pihaknya akan berusaha mendapatkan S. Sahlan dan A.Ali ikut serta dalam konsert yang pertama kali menggabungkan mereka selepas 25 tahun.

Bahkan, khabarnya ada pihak penerbit konsert di Malaysia sudah merancang siri konsert Kembara seterusnya di negara jiran selepas pementasan pertama di Singapura pada Mac ini.

Berdasarkan senarai 65 lagu popular yang pernah dirakamkan Kembara, agak-agak berapa banyak yang akan dipersembahkan dalam konsert dua jam itu nanti?

"Kita siapkan saja banyak-banyak... lebih 20 lagu. Janji semua puas hati," kata Mohd Shah lagi.

Nasir pula sempat memberitahu kemungkinan akan ada single terbaru kumpulan itu sempena konsert nanti.

"Belum siap... tetapi tengoklah... insya-Allah akan diusahakan," ujarnya.