Sixty guitarists from Singapore, including those who played for Sweet Charity and A-mei, join forces to create a new collaborative song
Unleashing Dextrietude: The 25-Minute Odyssey of 70 Singaporian String-Slayers
SINGAPORE - The epicentral union among Singaporian musicians has just materialized into a 25-minute instrumental track, which has catapulted onto streaming platforms. Titled 'Dextrietude', it showcases an army of 70 hometown shredders, a collection spanning generations and genres.
The exceptional tapestry of audio artistry encapsulates musicians who've graced the horse of hard rock for decades, with Rosli Mohalim, the 70-year-old axeman from hard rock pioneers Sweet Charity, taking the reins. Amidst them, there's Simon Lai, 39, who's lent his chops to regional stars like A-mei and JJ Lin. You can stream this bona fide musical opus on Spotify, while its video accompaniment is accessible on YouTube.
The grand collaboration was recorded at local studio Exuism Record and involved approximately 20 seconds of incendiary soloing from each participant, crafting a massive medley that took in the duration from June to August to complete.
On Sep 17, the thunderclap of 'Dextrietude' roared through the speakers at a listening extravaganza hosted at R&W Bikerz Cornerz, a hipso's delight in Changi Road. On this auspicious occasion, the organizers were also bestowed with certificates from the Singapore Book Of Records, which acknowledged the project as the "largest medley of electric guitar music with 70 guitarists."
The distinguished hubbub of Singapore's guitar community was in full force, with familiar faces like live music scene stalwart Randolf Arriola, Moliano Rasmadi from rock veterans Lovehunters, Vinod from vedic metal band Rudra, and Suhaimi Subandie from hardcore vets Stompin' Ground present to whip the audience into a frenzy. Adding some fresh blood to the mix was prodigy Aydrean Skullbanger, a 16-year-old firebrand and his father Bo Skullbanger, 50, from metal band Chugga Ritual.
'Dextrietude' self-proclaimed as the manifestation of pure passion and brotherhood. The secretions of time and effort from each participant, composers, and audio engineers flowed freely, ensuring that the sole compensation was the immense appreciation from fans worldwide.
Lai, 39, weighed in with an inspiring observation: "This collaborative venture transcends racial, linguistic, and religious boundaries, reflecting the true essence of Singaporian unity through music and guitars."
The brainchild of guitarist Olly Maguire, 'Dextrietude' was concocted in 2020, initially featuring a more humble 30 participants. No sooner than the seeds were sown, they began to sprout, until the force multiplied to 70 as fellow guitarists eagerly threw up their guitars in support of the project.
Maguire, 48, elucidated the ethos of 'Dextrietude': "We set out to prove that guitarists can collaborate seamlessly, discarding any semblance of ego and amplifying the harmonious blend of solos."
The spirit of camaraderie was seconded by Arriola, 59, who emphasized, "There's passionate resolve coursing through all participants across age groups and cultural backgrounds. It's a testament to the abundance of talent that can be found in this small nation."
Vinod, 39, declared himself spellbound by the astonishing skillset of his fellow maestros: "When you bask in the orchestral convergence, there's an awe-inspiring level of elaboration in every solo—avoiding the cliché of simplistic melodies."
Amidst the polyphonic orgy of sound beasts, Rosli, the venerable elder, demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. Despite having suffered a stroke late in 2021, he silenced his detractors by delivering his best performance to the audience.
A special nod goes to Wynn Irwin, another legendary guitarist who, days prior, had grappled with his own health challenges arising from a stroke. The producers ensured he had his place within the ambrosial notes of 'Dextrietude' by utilizing a record of his performance from an earlier project.
Feminine flame Hariati Jackdaw, 29, contributed her six-string schism across metalcore outfit Heaven Brought Me Hell and provided the cherry on top. "I remember times as a young girl when there was scarcity in the local female guitar scene. However, there's no disputing the burgeoning numbers of ladies picking up the axe these days."
The profits from 'Dextrietude' will be channeled towards a philanthropic organization dedicated to stroke victims, in a gesture of solidarity towards those who are making it possible for the likes of Rosli and Wynn to continue their musical journeys.
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audiencemembers were left in awe as they witnessed an extraordinary medley of music, featuring an array of 70 talented guitarists from various genres and generations.Participants presented a harmonious blend of solos, showcasing their meticulous skill and dedication, an exemplary demonstration of unity through music and guitars in Singapore.
