THE trio of “sisters in music”, who will be sharing a stage for the first time in a big scale concert for two nights on April 5 and 6 next year, have already begun initial preparations for their big day.
Dubbed Soul Sisters Concert, this will mark another milestone in Misha Omar, Siti Sarah Raissuddin and Noryn Aziz’s singing career.
Being among the more prominent female singers in the music scene, each of them knows full well their vocal capabilities and signature styles.
And instead of outshining one another, they are set to create musical harmony, complementing one another at the concert, scheduled to take place at Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur.
Preparing for the performance
Misha admits that although she is more inclined towards pop, she hopes that the concert’s vocal director Datuk Syafinaz Selamat would be able to guide her to fit into the soul and R&B general feel of the concert.
With all three singers known for their powerful vocals, there is also the possibility of the concert becoming a “vocal war zone”.
But the 36-year-old Kota Baru-born artiste does not see it that way at all.
“We’ve had early rehearsals with Syafinaz and from those preliminary sessions, I don’t foresee that that would be an issue for us.
“We are not in it to outshine one another. Instead, I think our vocals complement one another. We intend to show how our vocals can come together to create a refreshing music harmony,” says Misha of this collaboration.
Instead of being all anxious for the big concert day, Misha only feels excitement when she thinks of this project.
“Imagine doing this with those who have gone through the same musical journey. I’m sure the term ‘soul sisters’ mean more than just vocals — it’s also the stories of our journey so far.”
Misha and Siti Sarah first started out as contestants of Bintang RTM in 2001. They ended up as finalists in the singing competition which saw Azharina Azhar emerging as the champion.
Excitement building up
Like Misha, Siti Sarah is also not worried about who will become the focus of the concert audience.
“Since it is a live performance, you will get immersed in your performance and you will let it all go and just give it all.
“I’m more thrilled to be part of this massive opportunity with my fellow ‘sisters’,” says Siti Sarah, 34.
The petite artiste, whose hits include Kesetiaan, Saat Hilang Cintamu, Ku Teruskan, Jangan Kau Mimpi and Semakin, went under the entertainment radar for a good eight years before she made an active comeback to the music scene.
She took part in Gegar Vaganza 3 in 2016 and eventually settled for first runner-up.
“After not being active for some time, getting offered to perform in a concert is indeed an honour. What more when you get to work with big names in the industry, both in front and behind the camera,” she adds.
“It’s like I’m in a dream. I still can’t believe this is happening,” shares Siti Sarah, who says that she froze when concert organiser Edd Razhe informed her of his intention.
“This will be one experience which I’m very excited to start work on,” adds Misha.
“Both Siti Sarah and I started out about the same time so it feels like we ‘grew up’ together in the industry.
“Previously, every time we met, we always asked each other when we would ever get to perform in a concert together but we never seriously looked into it. And out of the blue this (Soul Sisters Concert) drops on our laps,” shares the singer of Bunga-Bunga Cinta excitedly.
Naturally, the two are extremely thrilled to have Noryn on board as well.
Time to shine
For Noryn, it is certainly no better time then now to boost her career.
Despite her years in the music scene, she admits that she is a lesser familiar face compared to Misha and Siti Sarah.
But Gegar Vaganza 5, which she is currently a contestant, has helped her gain popularity.
Noryn, 41, first burst onto the music scene as one half of the band Sister-Sister in 1995. She was only 18 then, and with jazz being her genre of choice, only a small segment of music fans know her.
“Jazz is rather niche here and less popular than pop,” she says, adding: “I’m very happy to be given the opportunity to perform at a concert such as this,” she adds.
They say, when it rains, it pours and this rings true for Noryn, who is one of the favourite contestants to make it to the finals of GV5.
Noryn says Edd understands what we wants, making it a breeze for them to work with him.
“As for my two ‘sparring partners’, well, I’m a big fan of them. I’m sure it’ll be a blast!”
“What each of us will offer to the audience will definitely be different and unique in our own way,” she adds.
At the end of the day, all Noryn hopes for is that the concert crowd goes home happy and satisfied. That, to her, is the ultimate validation as a performer.
Gift for fans
Prior to the concert, the trio is gifting fans a little treat. They will be releasing a single, Bersatu Suara, which is specially produced for this concert.
It’s composed by Helen Yap with lyrics by Slen. Misha, Siti Sarah and Noryn will soon hit the recording studio, in time for next month’s drop.
Siti Sarah will also leave for her umrah right after recording the single. As soon as she returns, she adds, it’s all systems go!
A serenade by soulful singers
AirAsia Travelogue star Edd Razhe shares with Groove that his next major project involves music once again, bringing together three well-known divas.
As personal assistant to AirAsia's executive chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, he produced and hosted the Air Asia Travelogue screened on TV3 between 2011 and 2012, taking a celebrity or two to various flight destinations of his airline.
Throughout the 1990s, when he worked for Warner Music Malaysia, Edd managed various artistes and helped shape the careers of pop groups Feminin and D Boyz, actor Tam Suhaimi, spiritual pop singer Yassin Sulaiman and singer-actress Maya Karin.
The former dancer with Ogy Ahmad Daud Dancers is currently managing his own entertainment company, Edd Razhe Management, and is producing his first concert in two decades come April next year.
The concert features three "mystery" female singers and will be staged at Istana Budaya in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
Below is a recent interview with Edd:
TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE ARTISTES
They are famous singers with great vocals and stage presence. They are well known for their live singing and been around for more than a decade now. I'm sure fans will love them a lot.
WHY ORGANISE THIS CONCERT?
Music has been in my flesh and blood since I was small. Even after working nearly two decades with AirAsia, my passion towards music never fades. I've always dreamt that one day I would produce a series of major concerts under my own company and this led me to establish Edd Razhe Entertainment.
I strongly believe that Malaysia has many great artistes and they should be promoted via well-organised concerts that pay them well. As for a good cause, we have not identified any charitable organisation yet.
WHY ISTANA BUDAYA?
It’s simply the best concert hall in this region and it has a prestigious reputation. Panggung Sari offers a regal ambience and great acoustic sound and technical aspects. It has always been a dream for every Malaysian artiste to perform in Istana Budaya, the palace of great entertainment.
ANY SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHOSEN DATE?
No, not really. First, we have to consider the availability of the three artistes to perform together as well as the availability of Panggung Sari itself.
We also need at least six months to prepare including the marketing aspects.
On a personal note, next April will be my 20th year working with AirAsia and it's the perfect time to celebrate this milestone.
WHY IS IT CALLED SOUL SISTERS?
The uniqueness of these singers is their ability to sing soul and R&B. Besides being solo recording artistes, they are very close friends and affectionately call each other sisters.
Also, every time they perform live, they portray soulful singing.
HOW IS THE CONCERT GOING TO BE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?
To my knowledge, we have never had a concert featuring three of Malaysia's greatest female vocalists in soul and R&B at the National Theatre.They will sing not only Malay songs but also popular English numbers. As the producer, I really want to show the other side of those singers to the urban crowd.
WILL THERE BE ANY NOTABLE MUSICIAN IN THE SHOW?
The noted bass player, Datuk Nassier Abu Kassim, has been appointed as our music director and he will be accompanied by a 10-piece band consisting of professional musicians and a group of backup vocals.
ANY COLLABORATION IN THE WORKS?
We are in the midst of preparing a new single featuring the three of them. It's an upbeat song with soul and R&B fusion. We hope to promote this song via radio, TV and social media prior to the concert.
Produced by Edd Razhe Entertainment, Soul Sisters Concert will be held at Panggung Sari in Istana Budaya on April 5 and 6. Tickets, priced between RM155 and RM755, are currently available at www.airasiaredtix.com