Noh Salleh bound for Japan

While the band Hujan remains his focus, the singer is preparing for a tour of Land of the Rising Sun to promote his solo album, writes Tahir Alhamzah

DESPITE his solo project, singer Noh Salleh insists that his priority is still with his band Hujan. “The chemistry I have with the band is still the best. Among the best experiences I had with it was performing at the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival two years ago,” says the 32-year-old Hujan frontman.

“The reason why I embarked on a solo album is because some of my materials are not appropriate for the band,” he says.

In 2014, Noh released an EP album titled with five songs and a live piano version of one of the songs. However, 1,000 copies of the album were only released in the Indonesian market then. Noh admits that the recognition for his music in Indonesia was flattering.

“Fans asked me for my music reference and such,” he adds.

Noh is scheduled to perform a duet with Marcell Siahaan at the latter’s Once In A Lifetime concert tomorrow night at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s Plenary Hall. The duo are expected to sing Titi DJ’s

When he was working on this album, he had a grand plan — to invite the late Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to launch it.

But, alas, the luminary statesman died early this year, when Noh was away in Palestine on a charity project trip with his celebrity friends.

Last week, Noh travelled to four locations in the peninsula to promote the album. The tour, which was organised by Warner Music Malaysia and Red Bull Malaysia, saw him performing atop a converted Range Rover truck at night markets.

“Basically, the idea was to have a casual performance, pack up and leave after an hour,” he says.

The repackaged album was also sold at the four locations during the gig. Only 500 copies of the physical album were available during the tour. Warner has yet to decide on the date of distribution of the album in the market.

DESSINEE SHOP

Next month and in November, Noh will be touring Japan to promote this album.

“Originally, it was just a planned holiday for me and my wife (Mizz Nina).The next thing I know, I found a sponsor for the tour which will take place in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto,” adds Noh who will be touring with Bornean singer Sasha Ningkan.

Noh jokingly explains this tour is also another project. But we all know that this is not true. In 2015, when he was holidaying with his wife in the Land of the Rising Sun, he signed a deal with a record store to sell 1,000 copies of his band’s album.

“It’s still a mystery to me who introduced Hujan to the store, but it sure made us feel good about it. I bought 40 copies of the 7-inch vinyl to bring home,” adds Noh on his deal with Dessinee Shop, a popular shop in Shibuya which stocks a unique line-up of jazz, Latin and other offbeat genres.