Labour of love
The Sahabats remember Johan Nawawi in a loving tribute, writes Farah Harith
IT was William Shakespeare who said “if music be the food of love, then play on”; and for the late music composer Johan Nawawi, he embodied the spirit of music and played not only from his heart, but from his soul. His death on March 24 last year came as a shock not only to fans but more so his family and friends, who did not expect to wake up that Friday morning to news that he was gone.
As much an homage to Johan’s love for music, it can be said that it was also his sudden departure that drove a group of his friends and family, who call themselves The Sahabats, to remember him in a way befitting him.
The Sahabats comprises composer Azman Abu Hassan, 80s singer Kamal Ishak, co-founder of Studio24 Masters Nur-Ruhizan Noh Abdullah, composer and lyricist Azmi Abdul Rahman (a.k.a. Cahaya Pena), Zulkifli Mahat, Amran Omar and Ffizar, Primeworks Studios’ group general manager Azhar Borhan, Azman’s sister Nina Abu Hassan, and Johan’s siblings Azaan Nawawi, Normanis Nawawi and Norwani Nawawi.
To understand the significance of this tribute, it is important to journey back to the good old days of the 80s where it all began.
Petaling Jaya served as the background for what would span decades of friendship built for the most part around music. Some of them were either schoolmates or neighbours who used to hang out together.
One thing they had in common was their love for music. Azman, whose brother was the late composer Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan, was to record his debut album and Johan gave him Perasaanku, which he composed and penned the lyrics to.
The album titled Azman was released in 1987 and Perasaanku marked Johan’s official entry into the local music scene as it was his first published song.
“Johan will always be part of my life, musically and also as friend and family ever since I met him when he was 10. Nothing can express my profound sorrow,” Azman told Groove on the friendship he
Johan was also always ready with a smile. It is hard to remember him without a smile on his face.
Azman
shared with Johan.
For Cahaya Pena, the late composer will be remembered as someone who was meticulous but always open to new ideas.
“Johan was also always ready with a smile. It is hard to remember him without a smile on his face,” he said.
With a career in music and other ventures such as animation for close to three decades, Johan has written many songs that went on to not only become all-time favourites but also chart-toppers. Azman came up with the idea to re-record Perasaanku with a slight change of lyrics by himself and Kelly Ong, as a tribute to Johan. The plan was to present the song to Johan’s wife, singer Nora Ariffin.
Nora and Johan were a powerful duo in the music industry, with Nora as a singer and Johan writing beautiful ballads for her. Nora and their four children were indeed the most affected by Johan’s sudden passing and a tribute from friends and family would make for a wonderful gift.
Azman began working on a new arrangement and lyrics for Perasaanku and roped in the rest of The Sahabats. It didn’t take long to complete the project that came from the heart. “It is undeniably the hardest project I have ever done. The song is the only way I could express the loss that I felt, and I know all of The Sahabats feel that way,” Azman said, commenting on Perasaanku version 2017, the tribute song.
The song also features notable bassist Norman Abd Rahman and accomplished musician Jari Jaffar on saxophone.
To take the project a step further, NurRuhizan decided that a music video would be a great addition.
“When Azman invited me over to his studio last year to work on a song tribute for my long-time friend Johan, I felt both thrilled and honoured.
“Recording the 80s song with friends whom I have known from long ago made me think back on how close we were and what a great friend he (Johan) was to us.
“I immediately decided to gather all my friends again, to produce a music video. Thanks to Nora, we got to shoot the video at the very studio where the late Johan used to compose his awesome music,” he said, referring to Johan’s studio in Seksyen 14, Petaling Jaya.
“I’m happy with the support and effort everyone gave for this project and even more happy that we all got to express our love and gratitude to our Sahabat Johan Nawawi,” he added.
After what can be termed as a labour of love, the music video, produced by Studio 24Masters, has been released for viewing on the E.S.A (English Speaking Asians) Facebook page.
Perasaanku 2017 the Karya Terbaik Johan Nawawi 30 Tahun tribute album, which was launched last Sunday under Warner Music.