James (musician)

Faruq Mahfuz Anam (born 2 October 1964), known by his nickname James, is a Bangladeshi singer-songwriter, guitarist, and composer and a playback singer . He is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the rock band "Nagar Baul" (previously Feelings), which he founded in 1977. James was born and raised in Naogaon. But, he grew up in Chittagong city.

This article is about the Bangladeshi musician. For the English band, see James (band). For other uses, see James (disambiguation).

James
মাহফুজ আনাম খান
James performing in Trination Mega Festival in December 2012
Born
Faruq Mahfuz Anam

(1964-10-02) 2 October 1964
Naogaon, East Pakistan (Now in Naogaon, Bangladesh)
Other namesGuru
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
  • playback singer
  • record producer
  • actor
Years active1977–present
Musical career
OriginRajshahi, Bangladesh
Genres
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • bass
  • vocals
  • keyboards
  • drums
  • saxophone
  • flute
Labels
Associated actsNagar Baul

James has also led a successful solo career, with hit albums like Ananya (1989), Palabe Kothay (1995), Dukhini Dukkho Korona (1997), Thik Achhe Bondhu (1999). He sang in four Bollywood films, including Gangster (2006), Woh Lamhe (2006), Life in a... Metro (2007), Warning (2013).[1]

James rose to mainstream fame in the 1990s as the frontman of Feelings, which is one of the "Big Three of Rock", who were responsible for developing and popularizing hard rock music in Bangladesh, along with LRB and Ark. Feelings is considered to be the pioneer of psychedelic rock in Bangladesh. He is often referred by the name "Guru".[2]

James won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer twice for his performance in the films of Desha: The Leader (2014) and Swatta (2017).[3][4]

Early life

James was born in Naogaon, Rajshahi on 2 October 1964 to father, Mojammel Haque and mother, Jahanara Khatun. His father was a government employee and worked as Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board. The family originally lived in Naogaon, but moved to Chittagong in around 1958–59, when Mojammel Haque was transferred.

From his teens, James developed an avid interest in music, an interest which his family did not accept or support. He first played guitar with his friends when he was in class seven in 1975. In the early-to-mid 1970s, while learning guitar, James became interested in bands like the Doors, Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin and guitarists like Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler and Jimi Hendrix.[5]

Following a dispute with his family, James left his house when he was in class eight in 1976. He started living in a dormitory called Aziz Boarding in Pahartali. He formed Feelings in 1977, as the vocal and the lead guitarist.[6][7]

Career

Nagar Baul (1977–present)

After some members left Feelings in 1981, James, Fanty, Pablo and Swapan re-formed the band and started to perform in local gigs. This was the line-up at that time:[8]

  • James – lead guitar, vocals
  • Ahsan Elahi (Fanty) – drums
  • Pablo – keyboards, vocals
  • Swapan – bass guitar

He became popular among musicians as "The one who can play Mark Knopfler with the right feels". After several years of stage shows, they came to Dhaka to record their first album, Station Road. James composed all the tracks, and wrote the lyrics for five of them. Though the album was not a hit, the tracks "Ager Jonome", "Amai Jete Dao" and "Rupshagor" enjoyed moderate success.

In 1993, they released their second album Jail Theke Bolchhi (Speaking from the Jail). This album was a major hit, and Feelings became a mainstream band.[9]

James performing in San Francisco Bay Area, US September 2013

James sings psychedelic rock and blues music. He has cited Jim Morrison, Mark Knopfler, and Eric Clapton as his influences.

Many lyricists have written songs for James, including poet Shamsur Rahman, Prince Mahmud, Marjuk Rasel, Shibli and Deholovi. Musicians and Music Composers like Lucky Akhand, Manam Ahmed, Prince Mahmud and Shawkat have also composed songs for him.

The albums he released with Feelings after Station Road (Originally titled Feelings) and Jail Theke Bolchhi are Nagar Baul in 1996, Leis Fita Leis in 1998, Collection of Feelings in 1999. His first solo album was Anonna, released in 1989, followed by Palabe Kothai in 1995, Dukkhini Dukkho Korona in 1997, Thik Achhe Bondhu in 1999, Ami Tomader E Lok in 2003, Jonota Express in 2005, Toofan in 2006 and Kal Jomuna in 2009.

James later renamed Feelings as Nagar Baul. The first and only album under the new name was "Dushtu Cheler Dol, released in 2001.

Bollywood

James has been one of the most popular artists, both as a solo musician and with his band in Bangladesh and in West Bengal, since the 1990s. He met Pritam Chakraborty, an Indian Bengali music director and composer working in Bollywood, in 2004. In 2005, James did the playback for the film Gangster. The song was "Bheegi Bheegi" and it was a blockbuster hit, remaining at the top of the Bollywood Hit List for more than a month.[10] He teamed up with Pritam again for the film Woh Lamhe in 2006 for the song "Chal Chalein", and again for "Rishtey" and "Alvida (Reprise)" in the film Life in a Metro.

James' last song in Bollywood, titled "Bebasi", was released in 2013, for the film Warning.

Media

James first appeared in a television commercial for Pepsi in the early 2000s. This commercial was broadcast both in West Bengal and Bangladesh. In 2011, he starred in a Bangladeshi TVC for Black Horse, a brand of energy drinks. James appeared in the Bollywood movie Life in A... Metro, in which he played the role of a member of a street band, along with Pritam and Suhail Kaul.

Personal life

James was first married to Rothi. In 2002, he ended his first marriage, and married Benazir Sazzad,[11] whom he reportedly met during a concert in New York around 1999. James has three children: daughters Jannat and Jahaan, and son Daanish.

Red Dot Entertainment

James, along with Gazi Shubhro and Jewel Paiker, co-owns the production house RED dot Multimedia Ltd. The company was established in December 2005. James is the chairman of its board of directors. The production house was behind the video commercial titled "Beautiful Bangladesh" for the ICC World Cup Cricket 2011. Red Dot Entertainment produced numerous reality TV shows including D Rock Star (2007), Lux Channel I SuperStar (2010 & 2014), and Ke Hote Chay Kotipoti (2011). Red Dot produces TVCs, music videos, TV reality shows, and corporate audio visuals. They are planning to produce a full-length film.

Photography

James is an enthusiastic amateur photographer. His photos have been used for album covers.

Discography
James at reunion concert in SUST campus, 2012

as "Feelings"
  • "স্টেশন রোড (Station Road) (1987)
  • "জেল থেকে বলছি (Speaking from Jail)" (1993)
  • "নগর বাউল (City Baul)" (1996)
  • "লেইস ফিতা লেইস (Lace Ribbon Lace)" (1998)

as "Nagar Baul"
  • "দুষ্ট ছেলের দল (Mischievous Boys' Party)" (2001)

Solo albums
  • "অনন্যা (Unparalleled)" (1989)
  • "পালাবে কোথায় (Where to Run?)" (1995)
  • "দুঃখিনি দুঃখ করোনা (Don't be Sad, Sad Girl)" (1997)
  • "ঠিক আছে বন্ধু (Okay, my Friend)" (1999)
  • "আমি তোমাদেরই লোক (I am all Yours)" (2003)
  • "জনতা এক্সপ্রেস (Peoples Express)" (2005)
  • "তুফান (Typhoon)" (2007)
  • "কাল যমুনা (Tidey Jamuna)" (2008)

Film scores

Album descriptions

Station Road (1988)

Released by Doel Products

All music is composed by James.

No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Station Road"James3:41
2."Ar Noi Juddho"James3:58
3."Ager Jonome"James4:15
4."Amay Zete Dao"James3:47
5."Jhorna Theke Nodi"James4:55
6."Dukkho Keno Koro"Babu2:37
7."Glass Beat Games"Pablo2:28
8."Ekdin Chhilo"Musa2:57
9."Zodi Emon Hoto"Salauddin Shazal3:05
10."Ever Since You"Pablo3:50
11."Shotyer Shundor"Dewan Babu3:29
12."Rupshagor"Collected3:48

Personnel
  • James – lead guitar, vocals
  • Ahsan Elahi (Fanty) – drums, percussion
  • Pablo – keyboards, clarinet, flute, vocals
  • Swapan – bass

Jail Theke Bolchhi (1993)

All music is composed by James.

No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Jail Theke Bolchhi"Latiful Islam Shibi5:15
2."Nil Akash"Ashraf Babu, Shibli5:40
3."Ichchher Palok"Bappy Khan4:47
4."Vabna"Salauddin Shazal4:50
5."Josie Prem"Latiful Islam Shibli2:47
6."Amar Valobasha"Salauddin Shazal5:11
7."Hridoyer Ekla Prantore"James7:57
8."Peshadar Khuni"Latiful Islam Shibli6:37
9."Jhorer Rate"Bappy Khan4:50
10."Dakar Prem"Bappy Khan2:56
11."Tomake Khuji"Bappy Khan3:47
12."Praner Shohor"Latiful Islam Shibli3:54

Personnel
  • James – lead guitar, vocals, cover concept
  • Ahsan Elahi(Fanty) – drums, percussion
  • Tanvir Ibrahim– keyboards
  • Babu- Bass

Nagar Baul (1996)

All music is composed by James.

No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Monnan Mian'r Titash Molom"Latiful Islam Shibi5:15
2."Haragacher Nurjahan"Deholovi5:40
3."Taray Taray"Based on the poem 'Uttor' by great poet Shamsur Rahman, James4:47
4."Nagar Baul"Rudro Polash4:50
5."Humayrar Nishwash"Deholovi2:47
6."Ekta Prem Dao"Deholovi5:11
7."Nag Naginir Khela"Deholovi (Concept – James)7:57
8."Kotota Kangal Ami"Latiful Islam Shibli6:37
9."Zatra"Deholovi (Concept – James)4:50
10."Jongole Valobasha"Latiful Islam Shibli2:56
11."Nobojiboner Kotha Bolchhi"Deholovi (Concept – James)3:47
12."Tobe Bondhu Nouka Verao"James, Deholovi3:54

Personnel
  • James – lead guitar, vocals, cover concept
  • Ahsan Elahi (Fanty) – drums, percussion
  • Babu – bass
  • Asad – keyboards

Lais Fita Lais (1998)

All music is composed by James.

No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Poth"Asiruddin Mondol, Anondo5:15
2."Lais Fita Lais"James, Anondo5:40
3."Sharothi"Sumon4:47
4."De Dour"Marjuk Russel4:50
5."Shinay Shinay"James, Anondo2:47
6."Bioscoper Khela"Anondo (Concept – James)5:11
7."Lag Velki Lag"Sumon7:57
8."Rakhe Allah Mare Ke"Marjuk Russel, Anondo6:37
9."Housey"Anondo (Concept – James)4:50
10."Khule Dekh Monta"Sumon2:56
11."Puber Hawa"Based on the poem by Shuvash Mukherzee, James3:47
12."Doyal"James3:54

Personnel
  • James – lead guitar, vocals, cover concept
  • Ahsan Elahi (Fanty) – drums, percussion
  • Babu – bass
  • Asad – keyboards

Dustu Chheler Dol (2001)

All music is composed by James.

No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Chirotakal"James, Bishu Shikdar5:15
2."Dushtu Chheler Dol"James, Bishu Shikdar5:40
3."Bijli"James, Bishu Shikdar4:47
4."Joy Toruner Joy"James, Bishu Shikdar4:50
5."Eka"James, Bishu Shikdar2:47
6."Guarantee Nai"James, Bishu Shikdar5:11
7."Chhoto Kichhu Asha"James, Bishu Shikdar7:57
8."Gotiraj"James, Bishu Shikdar6:37
9."Kichhui Pelam Na"James, Bishu Shikdar4:50
10."Ma o Mati"James, Bishu Shikdar2:56

Personnel
  • James – lead guitar, vocals
  • Asad – keyboards
  • Tajul – bass
  • Romel – drums, percussion

References
  1. "James & Nagar Baul' live in concert". Indian Week Ender. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  2. "Even people in villages relate to my music: James". The Times of India. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  3. "29 artistes get Nat'l Film Award 2014". The Daily Star. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  4. "National Film Awards for 2017 and 2018 announced". The Daily Star. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  5. Mahid Ul Ibad. "James: I'll be releasing albums more regularly". Mast Radio. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  6. "Nagar Baul set for World Tour following Eid". The Daily Ittefaq. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  7. "James and Sanam will perform today in Dhaka". The Daily Star. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  8. James & Nogor Baul Live in New Zealand. eventfinda.co.nz. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  9. Songs sung by James (Nagar Baul). lyricsmotion.com. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  10. "Wild Horses of Musical Conviction". The Daily Star. 13 March 2011.
  11. "Bangladeshi pop singer arrested". BBC News. 25 October 2002. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
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