Friday April 10, 2009
Rocking, Ramli-style
By N. RAMA LOHAN
Legendary rocker Ramli Sarip sizes down his gargantuan rock sounds for the cosy confines of No Black Tie.
MAKING music is partly about being able to shift gears. Ramli Sarip, or Papa Rock, as he’s known, has done that with aplomb throughout his career. Ramli is able to delve deep into his catalogue of rock tunes at one moment, and at the drop of a hat, reach out to his more ethnic fare, replete with traditional instruments such as the gendang and rebana.
In fact, it’s his world music ambitions that are taking centre stage at the moment, what with a new album in the pipelines. “At the moment, we’re listening to the stuff we’ve put down so far ... just to make sure everything is falling into place. The theme I am exploring is something that I’ve been doing for a while ... the album deals with life, spirituality and has some ethnic, folky flavours,” says the legendary rocker.
His enthusiasm for the new material is apparent for all to see. In fact, everyone can see it for themselves when he hits the stage at the No Black Tie bistro in Kuala Lumpur tonight and tomorrow at 10.30pm.
For his shows at No Black Tie the next two nights, Ramli Sarip will be backed by guitarist Paul Dass, keyboardist Kudin, bassist Din Safar and drummer Tom. “To me, what is important when creating a work is to create good quality music for the listeners. My music is clear ... music that conveys eastern feelings together with strong Malay vibes,” says Ramli. “I create music with good and clear intentions and I am determined to carry it out in the best possible manner. I try to pen good lyrics. It is up to the listener to categorise my music, be it a Dakwah song, Nasyid or just entertainment.”
His rock pursuit began with his band Sweet Charity in the 1970s, a breakthrough arriving with the band’s 1979 Warner Music debut, an endeavour that shifted a commendable 50,000 units. Mixing a decidedly western rock style with his own Malay folk elements, Ramli and Sweet Charity blazed their own trails.
A solo career beckoned in the mid-1980s and never one to shy away from the challenge, Ramli re-invented himself with the soul-baring Ramli Sarip, an ode to themes related to humanity, peace, heritage and life’s twisted yet glorious paths.
Since then, he has performed at the famous Womad (World of Music and Dance) festival in 2000 and was one of the main attractions at the third Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak.
In 2001, Ramli was chosen to head an all-star band for the opening night event, Rentak Asia, organised in conjunction with the Formula One Grand Prix in Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia.
Other career highs include participating in the biggest arts and world music festival, Langkawi International Festival of Arts 2002 (LIFA), organised by Tourism Malaysia, and representing Singapore in Asian Rock Concert 2003, held in Ancol, Jakarta, Indonesia, in conjunction with a “Say No To Drugs” campaign for Asean countries.
Having played on large concert stages, Ramli’s two-night stint at No Black Tie takes him back to his roots of playing more intimate settings. “I miss the kind of atmosphere a place like No Black Tie offers. We’ve been trying to work this out for a few years now. It’s great that new artistes have a platform for their music, too.”
For his shows at No Black Tie the next two nights, Ramli will be backed by guitarist Paul Dass, keyboardist Kudin, bassist Din Safar and drummer Tom.
More than half of the music for the night will include rarely played material while he concedes to having to adhere to some “standards”. “I am experimenting with the set list somewhat but at least 30% of the stuff will constitute the music I am known for. It’s split down the middle with English and Malay numbers.” Reveals the singer: “I am looking forward to doing some Three Dog Night and Rod Stewart, too.”
> Catch Ramli Sarip tonight and tomorrow night at No Black Tie, off Jalan Nagasari, 17 Jln Mesui, KL. Showtime is 10.30pm and entrance is RM60 (inclusive of soft drink).
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