SYAFINAZ'S WORTHY TRIBUTE

ONE of the heartaches of doing a remake is that the singer might be accused of lacking originality and identity. Syafinaz knows only too well the difficulties involved and the prejudices an artiste faces in covering tunes by others.

Her recent album Syyh ... Syafinaz, consisting of 10 classic songs by Datuk Ahmad Nawab, got her embroiled in controversy right from the start.Things got rather nasty when the music media started questioning Syafinaz's capability in pulling off an album's worth of Ahmad Nawab songs.

The veteran composer and the vivacious singer were inevitably dragged into the overblown issue. In the end, the Ahmad Nawab versus Syafinaz saga became nothing but fodder for the press. However, upon its release, Syafinaz's album drew favourable response; music critics were full of praise for her efforts. Most felt that Syafinaz stayed true to the essence of Ahmad's songs.

However, Ahmad is not too happy over the whole episode. ''After listening to the album, I can't say I am happy or otherwise. But I certainly do not like the way the record company handled the whole thing,'' said Ahmad in an interview.

''Certain conditions were not met and I'm very disappointed. That's not the way to treat a veteran like me. If only I were consulted before the album was out, this whole thing would have been different.'' The seasoned composer has worked with and introduced many household names like Sharifah Aini, Khatijah Ibrahim, Jamal Abdillah and Uji Rashid.

Ahmad had refused to turn up for Syafinaz's showcase held recently at the Emporium in Kuala Lumpur. Other familiar faces that were missing that evening were the original singers whose songs have been given fresh treatment by Syafinaz. And that includes Uji Rashid, Sharifah Aini, Khatijah Ibrahim and D.J. Dave. Only Salamiah Hassan turned up for the showcase. ''I think Syafinaz did an excellent job. The song turned out to be more beautiful than when I first did it. It is really exciting listening to my song again but this time with a different feel,'' said a chirpy Salamiah, referring to the song Surat Terakhir.

Syyh... Syafinaz is a good album for many reasons and one contributing factor is the excellent teamwork by versatile composers and arrangers like Ahmad Izham, Mac Chew, Aubrey Suwito, Helen Yap and Jenny Chin.

Although their efforts were met with disapproval by Ahmad Nawab purists, the end product turned out to be one of the best works for a local remake album.

Veteran singer Uji Rashid does not share the same sentiments though. In fact, she is still sulking over the whole episode.

Uji is unhappy with the new version of her song Kali Terakhir Ku Lihat Wajahmu. She feels no other singer should steal her song since it has a sentimental place in her heart. She claimed the song was dedicated to her adopted sister who died in a road accident.

Uji was not too pleased when she heard the new version of Kemesraan by Syafinaz. While Uji's version was melancholic, Syafinaz's jazzy and fresh interpretation upstaged the original cut.

''It is my song. I don't even sing it in public places or in any function,'' Uji was quoted as saying in a Bahasa Malaysia newspaper.The singer's emotional reaction provoked Ahmad to come up with yet another icy statement. ''When I wrote the song, Uji Rashid didn't even know about it. So how can she claim that it is her song? If there is anyone who can lay claim on the song, it's me. By right I should be making all the noise but I prefer not to.''

Uji made no further comments after this and the matter died down. But Uji's is an isolated case. The other singers like D.J. Dave, Sharifah Aini and Khatijah Ibrahim gave their blessings to Syafinaz to interpret their songs. On the album, the singer even included a number by the late Broery Marantika (Rindumu, Rinduku). For Syafinaz, a lecturer at Universiti Technologi Mara, it was the end product and a good showing in the music that mattered. ''I'm honoured to have this chance to sing Ahmad's compositions. They are brilliant and what the arrangers and I tried to do was to enhance the songs further,'' she said.

Indeed, Syafinaz was able to carry off every song with sass and style. The way her vocals lingered playfully and stylishly through the consonants was proof enough that she had put a lot of effort into the album. In fact, Syyh ... Syafinaz should be a collectible item for many reasons. The fresh, upbeat and different arrangements by the respective arrangers, coupled with Syafinaz's strong vocals helped to uphold Ahmad's pedigree as a composer whose music transcends genera- tions.

The recording, mixing and mastering sessions were handled at four studios - Playtime, Babyboss, Incognito and Nearfield early this year.

On the controversy, Syafinaz felt that everyone involved has the right to express their feelings about the album.''I've tried my best to give the songs a distinctive delivery style. Some may not like it, some do. That's often the case in any album. I treat this as a special project and I am quite satisfied that most of the songs turned out the way I wanted.'' According to Ahmad, he would have rearranged the songs in Syyh ... Syafinaz in the same way if he had the opportunity.

''It is quite close to what I would have done. My only fear is that the soul of the songs will be missing. Each song has its own character and it was specially written with the respective singers in mind,'' said Ahmad, who has written about 2,000 songs.

While it is true that EMI Malaysia holds the rights to these songs, composer Ahmad feels he has an unofficial claim over them. ''They are still my songs. No one can deny that. Each song holds a different memory for me.'' It is easy to understand why Ahmad is passionate about his songs. The fact that he doesn't like any new arrangers to mess around with his songs comes as no surprise.

''It's just like P. Ramlee's songs which capture the very soul and essence of the man himself. So don't try to change the melody by giving the arrangements a new lease of life. It is quite impossible really. The same goes for my songs.'' Ahmad would prefer that an arranger proposing a new slant to his work should meet him first and discuss and study his arrangements.

''Get to know the composer, than study the song. Only then will you be able to do justice to my songs,'' he added. But then again, no one can deny that Syafinaz has done a professional job in Syyh ... Syafinaz.

''The songs are all so beautiful to begin with. They wouldn't turn out any other way even if I had tried very hard. All the compliments should go to one deserving person - Ahmad Nawab and not me!'' said the modest Syafinaz.

BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 5/9/2001