NEW SOUND TO NASYID

WHEN Rabbani injected modern contemporary music into traditional and religious nasyid, little did they know that their action would come under fire. A lot of unfavourable remarks followed suit and some quarters even said they had gone off track and veered away from the nasyid norm.

But the truth of the matter is that Intifada (which, loosely translated, means ``uprising''), Rabbani's fourth and latest album that was caught in the controversy, received both favourable and adverse publicity because it is different. ``It is so different that some have likened it to a pop album. Some say the album sounds like rojak and is not fit to deliver the message of Islam. We tried to be more adventurous and experimented on progressive music, introduced string instruments and even world music. Rabbani dares to incorporate the typical middle-eastern music and other music genres like contemporary, pop, ethnic and traditional,'' said Asri Ibrahim, the spokesman and vocalist of Rabbani.

Rabbani consists of seven singers - Azadan, Loqman, Rahmat, Asri Ibrahim, Zulkifly, Rithaudeen and Asri Ubat, and five musicians - Hamzah, Nazrul, Afendi, Azizan and Aminuddin.

Those who have been following the progress of Rabbani will notice that this nasyid group started introducing new sounds in their first album itself. But these became more apparent in the group's last album Pergi Tak Kembali.

``The approach for this album was more global. This contemporary nasyid album had traditional elements and also synthesisers with authentic classical nasyid sounds,'' Asri explained.

Just for the record, Pergi Tak Kembali, Rabbani's hottest selling song to date, was composed by the talented KRU brothers. If you know the kind of music KRU churns out, you will probably understand why this

particular song came under attack. The catchy song which has a touch of ``boy band'' sound to it soon grows on the listener. Within weeks of its release, it hit the No.1 spot on the radio charts.

It looks like Intifada will repeat the success of Pergi Tak Kembali, given its frequent airplay. ``We are very proud of Intifada because the music featured is universal. Listeners have to familiarise themselves with our brand of nasyid as what we are doing is trying to progress gradually. By doing this, we are not trying to deviate from our main purpose of spreading Islam's message through music.''

Intifada comprises the tracks Insaf, 7 Hari, Cahaya, Lailatul Qadar, Doa Dan Pujian, Kawan, Cari Pasangan, Ayah Ibu and Nawaitu.

Rabbani has always struck its fans as a unique nasyid group because, firstly, it is the only nasyid group with so many members, 12 to be exact. Secondly, it is the only nasyid group that is adventurous enough to experiment with sounds. Once, they adapted the traditional ulek mayang (a traditional folk song which supposedly wards off evil spirits) and the Kelantanese Wau Bulan for their nasyid songs namely Zikir Kifarah and Ingat 5 Sebelum 5.

Despite having the new formula in all their albums, this group which was formerly known as Nada Murni insists that it is a typical nasyid group. ``Our music may be different but our aspirations are the same as those of any other nasyid group - to appeal to everyone.''

Rabbani's rise to popularity began in 1997 with the launch of its debut album, Assalamualaikum, produced by Ustaz Sohibul Fadil Haji Sabikin and for which it received its first platinum award. A year later, Rabbani released its second album, Arah Dari Mana ... Kemana? which had the hit tune Bidadari.

Later the same year, Rabbani joined forces with the Harakat Madani group and the famous Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) to cut Muhammad Ya Habibi in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad's birthday).

Then came Pergi Tak Kembali, followed by Iqrar 1421 (a compilation album which features 16 of its best hit songs).

With Intifada, Rabbani is set to rock the boat again. With a strong pool of artistic talents in the form of composers LY, KRU, Azmeer, Bong and Pak Ngah, Intifada is indeed an eye-opener. ``It's more universal and definitely more commercial,'' said Asri.

It is this commercial slant that the group's detractors are unhappy about.

During the launching of Intifada recently, three speakers - Ustaz Hj Hassan Mahmud Al Hafiz, Fahrol Mohd Juoi and Prof Madya Hajjah Fakhriah Datuk Hj Lokman, all authorities on Islamic music and Islam - discussed Rabbani's work in a forum called Di Manakah Ketulenan dan Arah Lagu Nasyid Kini? (Where's the Authenticity and Direction of Nasyid Now?)

Ustaz Hassan said that while it is wrong to brand a certain nasyid halal or haram (acceptable or unacceptable in Islam), nasyid groups should not forget the true reason for their existence. ``Including percussion or other musical instruments is fine. What is wrong is when the intention to do good (niat) goes awry.''

Prof Madya Fakhriah feels that it is all right for nasyid groups or singers to resort to different forms of music as long as the intended message is conveyed.

Whatever reasons cited by the religious authorities, the fact remains that Intifada is getting tremendous airplay for the simple reason that its songs are unique, and uniqueness is what sells!

BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 9/4/2001