THE RETURN OF ELLA

NEVER associate old age with a female rocker. Thirty-something is still considered pretty cool especially if you are still able to retain the requisite vigour and figure ... like Ella.When the singer recently took to the stage to launch her singles record ? Tanda Tanya as a prelude to her new album that's scheduled for release at the end of this month, Ella attracted quite a number of curious onlookers and and even some wolf whistles!

The excitement of seeing Ella perform ''once again'' after lying low for almost two years made many queue up early to fill up the seats at the Hard Rock Café in Kuala Lumpur.

The slightly fleshy Ella was beaming with pride as she took to the mike and sang her way to our hearts with a new song (that went untitled for a while) and was simply referred to as ? Tanda Tanya.

The real title of the song was left to Ella's fans to decide. This was part of a gimmick thought up by EMI Malaysia Sdn Bhd to promote Ella's new album. The guessing game was open to all ERA listeners and members of the public for a month.

''We had a competition where the winner won RM1,001 in cash, got to spend three hours with Ella and got to keep one of her personal belongings,'' said Normaheran, EMI Malaysia Sdn Bhd public relations manager.

The singles record also consists of two other songs - Sembilu and Dua Insan Bercinta and is sold at RM9.90 each. According to Normaheran, these songs are included on the album to allow her fans to get a feel of what's in store in her coming album.

Just last week, a lucky ERA listener was picked the winner for naming the song Tinggal Tanda Tanya (TTT). Incidentally, this will also be the title of Ella's new album.

TTT comprises 14 songs and each song was produced by individual composers like Djengo, Amin Abdullah, Aji, Azmeer, Zul Mahad, Bong and Ajai.

The songs include Nan Berbeza (which also features Ella's sister-cum-manager Jojie), Retak, Ilham Berbicara, Nekad, Kelipan, Jauh Di Mata (an old traditional song given a touch of rock), Cendawan & Serengga, Dia Lelaki (duet with Ramli Sarip), Tak Kisah (Bong) and Kau Yang Tak Tahu (Ajai).

The other three songs are the ethnic version of Retak and minus-one versions of Tinggal Tiada Tanya and Ilham Berbicara.

The rock diva has been keeping a low profile since her last album, El, which was released in 1999.

''I have been quite busy with shows and small concerts. I was concentrating more on my personal life, doing things that I love doing but never had the time to do, like travelling and reading. The record company told me it was a bad time to release an album and they advised me to do it when the market improved,'' said this 33-year-old singer who popularised the song Baldu Biru with singer Awie.

For Ella, time just stood still and she confessed she does not feel a day older from when she started though she has been in the scene for a good 15 years.

According to the singer who hails from Klang, competition has never been a problem. Without a trace of arrogance, Ella said she doesn't feel threatened by any singer, new or old.

''I have been around for quite a while now. My loyal fans are still out there for me. All this is like a comeback for me. The launching is for my new album and not to introduce Ella - the singer,'' said this popular rocker.

Asked to comment on her new album, Ella feels she has given her best and that her fans will really appreciate her latest effort because of the 14 songs (including four bonus tracks).

''It's very thoughtful of the record company to give this special treat to my fans. Well, you may call it a marketing strategy but at the end of the day, my fans benefit from this,'' said Ella.

Apart from the new songs on the album, Ella is often bombarded with questions of a personal nature, that is, her love life and when she is tying the knot.

She recently appeared on the front page of an entertainment magazine with a 17-year-old hunk confessing to readers that she will settle down soon.

''Everywhere I go, people stopped me and asked if it's true. It's so difficult to explain the circumstances I was in when I was posed that question. It was taken out of context. I know, I have a lot of teenage male fans around that age but to settle down with one of them is absurd,'' she said.

The attractive singer who has been romantically linked with several personalities declined to say whether there is anyone special in her life at the moment.

''I am married to my profession right now. Men bore me. They just don't know how to get around me, I am so fed-up.'' Perhaps the closest answer is given by the title of her new album Tinggal Tanda Tanya, which loosely translated means All That's Left Is a Question Mark.

BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 18/10/2001