All for balance
Singer Siti Nurhaliza realis many of her hopes in her 17th studio album, Simetri writes Tahir Alhamzah
SIMETRISITI is like one dream among the many which have come true for Malaysia’s top singer Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin. “I’m very happy with this album as some of my wishes have been realised here,” says the 38-year-old.
First, she had always wanted to perform a duet with Indonesian singer Judika. And secondly, she had always wanted to record an album, featuring a live orchestra.
In the 10-track album, her 17th to date, the duet with the Indonesian crooner is titled Kisah Ku Inginkan. Composed and written by Indonesian Ivan Lahardika, the song is produced by Mujahid Abd Wahab, with singer Yasin Sulaiman as Siti’s vocal producer.
While the rest of the songs in the album are copyrighted under Universal Music and Siti Nurhaliza Productions, the rights for Kisah Ku Inginkan is shared between Universal Music and Sony Music. In Indonesia, the powerful track will only be available in Judika’s upcoming album.
“Since I wanted to have this duet with Judika, I agreed to the terms stipulated. It was worth it,” admits Siti smiling.
As for the strings orchestra, Siti was accompanied by the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra for five of the tracks in the album. The songs are Bersandar Cinta, Ikrar Cinta, Segala Perasaan, Manis Terindah and Tak Perlu Ragu.
“The orchestra has done work for the legendary German film score composer Hans Zimmer for some of his works,” shares Siti, excitedly.
The recording for the five tracks, which took place in Bulgaria, lasted for hours. The recording was then sent here for mixing.
Besides Ivan, who contributed two songs, the composers featured in this album are fellow Indonesians Ade Govinda and singer Opick; Aubrey Suwito, Amirah Ali, Mohariz Yaakup and Sid Murshid.
Aubrey, who is also the album’s project director, contributed two compositions for the album. Siti contributed a song which she both composed and wrote.
Initially, Siti and her team received some 300 compositions and it was certainly not easy to narrow the list down to only 10. The selection process alone took more than four months. According to Siti, the selection process was done without knowledge of the composers’ identity, to ensure the team would not be biased.
“So in the end, I hope we’ve chosen a varied mix of songs which will appeal to everyone.”
“That’s why the album took some time to complete. I wanted to make sure that the selection is thorough.
I wanted the tracks to feature various beats and moods. That is why the album is called SimetriSiti, a reflection of the album’s balanced repertoire. It is also to reflect that all 10 songs received similar treatment; not one is more significant than the other.
“The album also reflects me, as a wellbalanced person and the kind of music which has been associated with me from the day I started my singing career. From mastering to the making of the album cover, everything has been given equal love and care,” she says, smiling.
Meanwhile, among the lyricists featured in the album are Ad Samad, Sulu Sarawak, Dian and the renowned Habsah Hassan.
Siti has also completed music videos for Bersandar Cinta and Penghiburku.
For Bersandar Cinta, Siti takes up the mantle of a superhero character who spreads love while in Penghiburku, a song dedicated to her fans, she has included some of her fans acting as paparazzi, and she, playing herself, the star.
“The second video was done simultaneously when we shot for the album cover. So some of the behind-thescene shots actually took place,” Siti says, grateful her fans could be part of the video and on the cover.
“I hope the cover will win Best Cover award at the next Anugerah Industri Muzik. Among all the accolades I’ve been awarded, I have yet to add this award to my collection,” adds Siti with a laugh.
The album also reflects me, as a well-balanced person and the kind of music which has been associated with
me from the day I started my singing career.
Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin