AHMAD NAZRUL CAMALXAMAN is excited by the mellifluous voice of ZulF.It was a small and noisy concert crowd until an unknown singer stepped on stage and commanded full attention with his melodious song about love.
We are talking about a scene in a film, right? No, this happened in Selayang Stadium recently, Kuala Lumpur and the unknown singer, to Malaysians at least, was ZulF, a charming educationofficer from Brunei.
It turns out that he is not so unknown in Brunei, having won the first ever music competition in Brunei, Paspot to Fame (P2F), the equivalent of Malaysia's Akademi Fantasia.
The 25-year-old ZulF - Zul Fakhari Muksin - first sang in public when he was in Form Six.
"I was petrified and excited at the same time."
In October 2000, ZulF, auditioned and signed up for Artist Development Project in Perth, Australia. He had formed a group called, Pneumatic Soulz, soon after and the group's debut was as an opening act for Elite and X-Factor (from Malaysia).
Last year, he was involved with the Asia Aid Charity Concert forTsunami Victims, where he recorded Kisah Dunia composed by Hans Anuar, along with other local artistes.
"Of course, the highlight of my career was being crowned the champion of P2F - Brunei's first ever reality TV talent contest series - in May last year."
ZulF says tthat before P2F, most people in Brunei only listened to Malaysian artistes.
What did he learn from the P2F experience?
"Friendship. There are some great people on the show. I made friends with the other contestants as well. And dancing," he added with a laugh.
"I enjoyed doing it. Before the show started, we had to train to dance for about two weeks for theopening. It was fantastic. I used to be quite stiff, standing in middle of the stage and just sing. P2F has changed all that."
Since then, ZulF has performed at various events including Konsert Muhibbah Di-Raja for the Sultan of Brunei singing alongside popular Malaysian artistes like Siti Nurhaliza, Vince, Ezlynn, Nasir Wahab and Francesca Peter.
Last December, ZulF started recording at Pro DG Studio in Kuala Lumpur for his official single entitled Engkau Adalah Cinta, produced by music director Rudin and lyrics by Kuci Kuci.
"It all happened in quite a hurry. It is hard to come out with an album in Brunei as we lack the expertise. A friend of mine told me about Rudin in Malaysia and asked if I would like to work with him. I jumped at the opportunity."
The single will be released on April 2, along with another song, Bersama Bintang, also by the Kuci Kuci -Rudin team.
"The song is about loneliness, and the satisfaction of finding this great love in the end." - NST 26/03/2006
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