Friday, May 9, 2008

COMMENT BY DATO' ABDUL NASSER BIN ABU KASSIM - REGIONAL HEAD - CARGO, AIR ASIA BERHAD, MALAYSIA ( FMR EXEC DIRECTOR OF A & R, WARNER MUSIC M'SIA

" I've worked with Dharanee ( now also known as Dani'el ) since the early 80's, when i played Bass Guitar, on a regular basis, for the late "Sudirman", who Dharanee represented as manager.

I feel "theartiste" is a great oppotunity and platform for Asia's music artists, who have dreams and aspirations to make it internationally as Global superstars.

When i was Executive Director for Warner Music Malaysia ( 1984 - 2002, 18 years ) , i had similar visions for Raihan and Zainal Abidin, who had the potential to succeed internationally due to their excellent production by Roslan Aziz, who produced both Sheila's ( then with EMI Malaysia) and Zainal's albums.

In all fairness, they succeeded to a certain degree. ( Raihan was produced by Farihin Abdul Fatah )

Warner Music Malaysia were the first to start the Malay Gospel trend by releasing Raihan,
a muslim gospel praise and worship group, in bahasa malaysia, whose 1st album sold close to 1 million copies domestically, crossing over to other races as well....and i feel that "theartiste" can continue with our dreams and aspirations to help perhaps,a malaysian or asian music talent, to break internationally and perhaps win a "GRAMMY" award one day..."

DATO' ABDUL NASSER ABU KASSIM
Regional Head - Cargo
Air Asia Berhad, Malaysia

Former Executive Director
Artists & Repertoire
Warner Music Malaysia
1984 - 2002