Saari Amri started writing songs when he was 26 years old. A late starter with no formal education in music, he learnt how to play the guitar and read musical notes through books. He got his first break when the rock group Mega recorded his very first song entitled "Pasti". Recognition came when Shima recorded his "Setelah Diri Ku Kau Miliki" in 1991 which sold 60,000 units. A bigger triumph awaited him in the form of "Sembilu" recorded by rock star Ella which sold nearly 300,000 units and was the highest selling album by any local artiste at that point of time. By then, he was a much sought after writer and Producer as well. He has since composed and produced for big stars including Ziana Zain, Exist, Wings, Nora, Awie, Shanifah Aini, etc.
In 1993, he set up Mekar Productions and released his debut group, Ukays (later changed their name to UK's) who became the highest selling artiste of all time, surpassing the record set by Ella. Saari was highly successfully at breaking new talents, such as Azie, Scan, Umbrella and the group Slam, and turning them into big stars.
In early 1996, Saari set up his own Menora Studio and another production house called Menora Music. He now has a total of 20 artistes and although much of his time is focused at his studio business, he continues to write and produce for his own artistes as well as for others not under his production house.
In October 1996, Saari met with a major auto accident and was in a coma for nearly 3 weeks. However, 3 months later, he has miraculously recovered and "Sad News" is the very first song that he has composed since the accident.. Today, at 32 years old and only 6 years since he ventured into the music business, Saari has published no less than 200 songs. Saani Amri is undoubtedly one of the more talented in the Malaysia today.
Ramlah Ram
Singer
Ramlah Ram has been brought up in a musically inclined family - her father was the leader of a 'ghazal' group. It was through this group that Ramlah was initiated into singing. Her singing career, however, started in 1985 after she won in the Bintang RTM singing competition. Her first album was released in 1986 under the MP label and produced by the legendary composer-writer-producer Ahmad Nawab. Almost all the songs in this album hit the local charts. Ramlah released 5 other albums produced by Ahmad Nawab. In 1992 Ramlah joined BMG and Fauzi Marzuki and M. Nasir. In 1994, she departed from her pop roots and released a dangdut album with sales exceeded 70,000 units and proved her versatility and talent in handling another repertoire. She released another pop album in 1995. Her latest efforts is a duet album with Indonesian singer Nelly Agustine. This is Ramlah's second dangdut album, an increasingly popular music genre in Malaysia.
Ramlah Ram, whose favourite singer is Whitney Houston, has herself been voted "Most Popular Female Singer" for two consecutive years in 1988 and 1989.
