IT has been six long years since she released her last album. The wait is finally over as Fauziah Latiff released a single, Takdir Cinta, a few weeks ago.
The song, written by Sharon Paul, with lyrics penned by Ahmad Fedtri Yahya, is especially for her fans who have been constantly asking for new material.
“To my fans, I’m really sorry that it took me this long to come up with a new track. I hope listeners can feel the emotions I have poured into the song,” says the 45-year-old singer, fondly known as Jee.
The tune is also the original soundtrack for TV3’s serial drama, Seindah Takdir Cinta, produced by Zeel Production for the network’s popular Akasia slot. Its producer, Fadzil Teh, is one of Jee’s biggest fans, and a friend.
According to Jee, it was after his request for her to sing the theme that she finally came out with this new single.
“When he approached me some time in March, I thought it’d be a good idea too. While helping someone whom I consider a close friend, it is also a treat for my other fans,” she says.
“After compiling some songs, we went to the studio to choose. After listening to three, I selected this one. I was attracted to its melody. Even the lyrics were suitable for the tune. Fedtri had been briefed on what kind of lyrics they had wanted for the soundtrack.”
As it has been quite awhile since her last release, Jee admits that it was pretty unnerving for her at first.
“Fortunately, Sharon was there to guide me. As the lyrics were quite heavy, it took us a while to get the words to sync with the tune,” she says.
“I also took extra care on the feelings in my rendition so it would sound honest. As such, we took three days to finish the recording.”
“I certainly didn’t want to fall short of Fadzil’s expectations. On the first day that I went into the studio, it was just like a warming-up session. I needed that after the long break I took. I ended up screaming my heart out as the day progressed and my singing was still unsatisfactory,” explains a modest Jee with a smile.
“I was also trying to dig deep into the lyrics, to empathise with the wordings. I’d say the experience I went through recording the number was a good way of making a comeback.”
While it is natural for many to assume that she is singing about her life, like her previous songs, Jee is quick to add that the lyrics in general apply to many out there too.
“I’m sure many must have gone through similar experiences. Everyone has a past. Everyone has his or her love story to tell or reminisce,” says Jee coolly, avoiding the question whether the new song is actually about her love life.
Although the tune, which speaks about acceptance of a lost love, has been played on radio, the music video for the song has not been completed, although filming has already been done around Kuala Lumpur.
COLOURFUL LIFE
Jee recorded her first album Digamit Memori in 1988. She was discovered by a talent scout and offered her first recording contract by Happy Records after performing at a charity concert the year before.
At 18, she caught the attention of Malaysians with her sweet voice and pretty face. Her popularity rose and she was churning out albums year after year.
She has cut 17 albums, with the last one, Keunggulan, released in 2010.
She bagged the award for Popular Female TV Entertainer at the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian for two consecutive years, in 1992 and 1993.
Blessed with soprano pipes, Jee could have just been content with singing. But, she also tried her hand at acting.
In her career as a versatile artiste, Jee has appeared in various drama productions, including Gelora Di Hati Sara, Roda Roda Kuala Lumpur, Kudrat Iman, Ke Pintu Bahagia and even in the comedy show, Lontong’.
She was also part of the cast of the Datuk Rahim Razali-directed Tun Abdul Razak The Musical. In the theatre production staged at Istana Budaya in 2009, she played Razak’s wife, Tun Rahah Mohammad Noah.
She was also part of the cast of the musical, Rubiah.
Asked if she has received any acting offers lately, Jee says: “There have been offers, but the one I can confirm now is a project for next year. Previous offers had to be declined as they clash with my schedule.
“In the past I’ve always been given feminine and soft characters, so I’m really looking forward to more challenging roles, like playing a psychopath. Or to act in an action thriller. I really don’t mind.” Her delicate features and soft-spoken nature may have been the reason why she has been given such character roles.
Jee was one of three judges for the reality singing competition, Malaysian Idol, a local version of the Idol series that started in the UK.
The other two judges, during the show’s two-season run, were singer-songwriter-producer Paul Moss and music producer Roslan Aziz.
BIKES, DIVING AND VILLAGE LIFE
Don’t let her pretty face fool you. Jee has an edgy side to her as well, which manifests in her love for riding big bikes.
While some may view it as a high-risk toy for boys, she believes it is a sport for just about anyone, provided one can afford it and knows about putting safety first while out on the road.
“I like those machines and there’s no denying that I feel extremely satisfied when riding. However, maintenance and safety features are important factors one has to always put emphasis on,” she says.
Jee is also a certified scuba diver, having dived at various sites. She lets on that the experiences gained from those trips were more than just memorable.
“When you are in the deep sea, besides enjoying the enchanting marine views, you also get the feeling of how small you are. At least that’s how I feel each time and that feeling is a good way to experience peace and tranquility,” says Jee, who has also collaborated with Yayasan Coral Malaysia for awareness and preservation programmes.
These are just some of the things that keep her busy these days, especially when both her sons are now studying in England.
When her schedule is not packed, Jee also tries to spend some time with her mother. Since her father’s passing, her 76-year-old mother lives alone in Pontian, Johor.
“For her age, my mother is still strong. If she is not here visiting me or visiting her sister in Singapore, she’ll be in her home, tending to her garden,” says Jee.
“She has enough things to keep her occupied. She has chickens, geese, turkeys and even a monkey to take care of.
“My mother has just gone back after spending few days here in Kuala Lumpur with my aunt from Singapore. The two of them spent a day shopping at Masjid India.”
She says she usually spends more time at her mother’s house during Ramadan, but as this year’s schedule was a little packed compared to the past few years, she could not do so.
“But my mother understands the kind of work I do and she doesn’t mind,” says Jee who really appreciates the time she spends in Pontian.
“It’s quiet there. Very peaceful and calm, with chickens clucking and turkeys gobbling. It’s a perfect place to escape from the hectic city life.”
RAMADAN AND HARI RAYA
For Ramadan, Jee preferred to cook simple meals at home when she was not attending breaking of fast events.
For her, it was a way to control the kind of food she eats, in order to keep healthy. Leftovers were eaten at sahur.
At the time of the interview, Jee hadn’t decided where to celebrate the first few days of Hari Raya.
“It’ll be either in Pontian or here (in KL). But I will definitely be with my mother,” says Jee, who misses her father very much.
“I have many fond memories of him. He was my backbone. He was my strength. He was my number one supporter and critic from the first day I became a singer. If there was anything that was not right, my father would tell it to me straight,” recalls Jee, of her late father, whose resting place is just in front of her mother’s home in Johor.
“He told me to always appreciate the things we have in life and to appreciate life itself. One must never ever forget where or what kind of background one comes from. He used to remind me to always be humble and never arrogant,” she says.
According to her, it was he who said to her that “once you’re in the entertainment industry, there’s no turning back”.
Perhaps that is why Jee is still at it and relevant till this day, even after close to three decades of being an artiste.
LOYAL FANS AND NEW LOVE
She is also very appreciative of her fans. Some have formed unofficial fan clubs for her as well. From time to time, they hold gatherings and if time permits, she accepts their invitations to attend the events.
“I feel blessed to have such loyal fans and it’s certainly nice to join them once in a while at such meetings,” she says.
While Jee tries her best to keep her fans happy, she has one “fan” she is taking her time to know more personally.
The fan in question is the same individual whom she was reported to have said she was getting married to last year.
“Yes, we were supposed to tie the knot this year too. But as both of us are busy, the wedding has been held back. God willing, we’ll be able to get to it sooner than later. At this point, I’m in no hurry to get married, but I will get there. Sure, I do want to get married,” says Jee, who has two prior marriages.
While she has been very discreet in keeping his identity under wraps, it has been reported that he is not from the entertainment industry.
“We are taking it slow to get to know each other better. It’s a day by day process,” she says.