HAVING composed and recorded more than a thousand songs during his 35 years in the music scene, it wasn't easy for singer-composer Mohamad Faizal Maas, better known as Ajai, to choose songs for his recent two-and-a-half-hour 'byAjai & Mega Friends Concert'.
The show, held at Mega Star Arena Kuala Lumpur and staged by the prolific artiste, also featured singers Dayang Nurfaizah, Hafiz Suip, Hazama, Aina Abdul, Illa Sabry, as well as newcomers Aufahanie, Raes and Mia.
Out of the many songs he had created, only 18 could be performed that night, prompting the 49-year-old artiste to promise fans that there would be more concerts by him.
"Maybe I need to come up with a series of concerts," he said, addressing more than 4,000 fans who packed the venue.
In attendance that evening were fans from various age groups and backgrounds who not only came to see Ajai, but the other big names as well.
Some had travelled from as far as Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Singapore.
The turnout was proof that the formula of inviting his "Mega Friends" had certainly worked.
"I'd planned this for some time already, but I had to wait quite a while for a date that they could all agree to and block in advance.
"So finally, here we are tonight," he said to loud applause from the floor.
Ajai opened the concert with 'Semua Orang Tahu' (originally performed by Rem), followed by 'Aku Lebih Tahu' and 'Percayalah' (originally performed by Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza).
After this, newcomer Aufahanie took the stage to belt out 'Saat Hilang Cintamu', a song that Ajai had co-composed for the late Siti Sarah Raissuddin.
"This song has a very sentimental value for me. I've always admired her (Siti Sarah) amazing talent.
"The first time I heard her singing, I could already feel she had a unique talent and presence. She had a perfect high and low tone.
"On a personal level, we were also close. Earlier on in her relationship with Shuib, she introduced him to me," Ajai shared his memory of the late singer.
He then joined Aufahanie for a duet of 'Keliru' and 'Lagu Rindu', among the popular numbers Ajai recorded with his former wife, Nourul Depp.
Next came Hazama, who sang 'Juwita', followed by 'Amaran Mama' which he performed with Ajai.
After that was a surprise appearance by Illa Sabry, who sang 'Keranamu Kekasih'.
The song was her debut single, which also became the soundtrack for the 2001 film 'Gerak Khas: The Movie'.
After a break, Ajai returned to the stage for 'Biar Sampai Ke Bintang' alongside newcomer Raes.
He then performed 'Hati Ini Telah Dilukai' with vocal powerhouse Aina Abdul, who later carried on with 'Selagi Ada Cinta.'
After Ajai and Mia performed 'Aku Cinta Aku Rindu', it was Hafiz's turn to take the stage with 'Ku Akui', followed by 'Tak Mungkin Kerna Sayang', a song popularised by Datin Alyah.
Hafiz, who had been off the entertainment radar for a while, received thunderous cheers from the crowd as if to welcome him back.
Finally, it was Dayang Nurfaizah's turn on stage.
Looking resplendent in a flowing silver gown, her elegance and undisputed vocal prowess were a fitting match.
She sang 'Kesetiaan', a number originally performed by Siti Sarah, before belting out her hit 'Seandainya Masih Ada Cinta,' written by Ajai.
The moving number also happened to be her breakthrough song back in 2000, which cemented her reputation as one of Malaysia's top singers.
All good things must come to an end, and that's exactly what Ajai did when he closed the concert on a high note with 'Kau Kekasihku'.