James (musician)

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

Faruq Mahfuz Anam
ফারুক মাহফুজ আনাম
James performing in Trination Mega Festival in 2012
Born	Faruq Mahfuz Anam (1964-10-02) 2 October 1964 Naogaon, East Pakistan (Now in Naogaon, Bangladesh)
Other names	James Guru
Occupations	Singer-songwriter record producer actor
Years active	1977-present
Spouses	Rothi ​ ​ (m. 1997; div. 2002)​ Benazir Sazzad ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	3, including, Jannat, Jahaan and Daanish
Parents	Mojammel Haque (father) Jahanara Khatun (mother)
Musical career
Origin	Chittagong, Bangladesh
Genres	Psychedelic rock hard rock blues rock
Instruments	Guitar bass vocals keyboards drums saxophone flute
Labels	Sargam Soundtek Sangeeta Sony BMG Saregama

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

James has also led a successful solo career, with hit albums like "অনন্যা (Ananya)" (1989), "পালাবে কোথায়? (Where Will You Run to?)" (1995), "দুঃখিনি দুঃখ করোনা (Don't Regret)" (1997), "ঠিক আছে বন্ধু (Okay, My Friend)" (1999). He sang in four Bollywood films, including Gangster (2006), Woh Lamhe (2006), Life in a... Metro (2007), Warning (2013).

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".

Early life

James was born in Naogaon and raised in Rajshahi and Chittagong. His father was a government employee who was later appointed as the Chairman of the Chittagong Education Board. 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 1973. Following a dispute with his family, James left his house when he was in class eight. He started living in a dormitory called Aziz Boarding in Chittagong. This where his musical career began and flourished after he met the musicians from the band Feelings. He joined Feelings as the vocal and lead guitarist.

Career

After some members left Feelings in 1980, James, Funty, Pablo and Swapan re-formed the band and started to perform in local gigs. This was the line-up at that time:

• James – lead guitar, vocals
• Funty – 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.

Bangladesh

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 like Lucky Akhand and Manam Ahmed 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 movie 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. He teamed up with Pritam again for the movie Woh Lamhe in 2006 for the song "Chal Chalein", and again for "Rishtey" and "Alvida (Reprise)" in the movie Life in a Metro.

James' last song in Bollywood, titled "Bebasi", was released in 2013, for the movie Warning. It was released in YouTube ahead of the movie for promotional purposes.

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, 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. He plans to exhibit his works in the future.

Discography

James at reunion concert in SUST campus, 2012

Nagar Baul

• Station Road (1987) (Originally known as Feelings )
• "জেল থেকে বলছি (Speaking from Jail)" (1993)
• "নগর বাউল (City Baul)" (1996)
• "লেইস ফিতা লেইস (Lace Lace Lace)" (1998)
• "দুষ্ট ছেলের দল (Mischievous Boys' Party)" (2001)

Solo albums

• "অনন্যা (Ananya)" (1989)
• "পালাবে কোথায় (Where Will You Run to?)" (1995)
• "দুঃখিনি দুঃখ করোনা (Don't be Sad, Sad Girl)" (1997)
• "ঠিক আছে বন্ধু (Okay, my Friend)" (1999)
• "আমি তোমাদেরই লোক (I am Your Own)" (2003)
• "জনতা এক্সপ্রেস (Crowd Express)" (2005)
• "তুফান (Toofan)" (2007)
• "কাল যমুনা (Tomorrow, Jamuna)" (2008)

Film scores

• "Bheegi Bheegi" - Gangster (2006)
• "Chal Chalein" - Woh Lamhe (2006)
• "Rishtey, Alvida (Reprise)" - Life in a... Metro (2007)
• "Bebasi" - Warning 3D (2013)

Album descriptions

Station Road (1988)

Released by Doel Products

All music is composed by James

No.	Title	Lyrics	Length
1.	"Station Road"	James	3:41
2.	"Ar Noi Juddho"	James	3:58
3.	"Ager Jonome"	James	4:15
4.	"Amay Zete Dao"	James	3:47
5.	"Jhorna Theke Nodi"	James	4:55
6.	"Dukkho Keno Koro"	Babu	2:37
7.	"Glass Beat Games"	Pablo	2:28
8.	"Ekdin Chhilo"	Musa	2:57
9.	"Zodi Emon Hoto"	Salauddin Shazal	3:05
10.	"Ever Since You"	Pablo	3:50
11.	"Shotyer Shundor"	Dewan Babu	3:29
12.	"Rupshagor"	Collected	3:48

Personnel

• James – lead guitar, vocals
• Funty – drums, percussion
• Pablo – keyboards, clarinet, flute, vocals
• Swapan – bass

Jail Theke Bolchhi (1993)

All music is composed by James

No.	Title	Lyrics	Length
1.	"Jail Theke Bolchhi"	Latiful Islam Shibi	5:15
2.	"Nil Akash"	Ashraf Babu, Shibli	5:40
3.	"Ichchher Palok"	Bappy Khan	4:47
4.	"Vabna"	Salauddin Shazal	4:50
5.	"Josie Prem"	Latiful Islam Shibli	2:47
6.	"Amar Valobasha"	Salauddin Shazal	5:11
7.	"Hridoyer Ekla Prantore"	James	7:57
8.	"Peshadar Khuni"	Latiful Islam Shibli	6:37
9.	"Jhorer Rate"	Bappy Khan	4:50
10.	"Dakar Prem"	Bappy Khan	2:56
11.	"Tomake Khuji"	Bappy Khan	3:47
12.	"Praner Shohor"	Latiful Islam Shibli	3:54

Personnel

• James – lead guitar, vocals, cover concept
• Funty – drums, percussion, bass
• Tanvir Ibrahim– keyboards
• Babu- Bass

Nagar Baul (1996)

All music is composed by James

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

Personnel

• James – lead guitar, vocals, cover concept
• Funty – drums, percussion
• Babu – bass
• Asad – keyboards

Lais Fita Lais (1998)

All music is composed by James

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

Personnel

• James – lead guitar, vocals, cover concept
• Funty – drums, percussion
• Babu – bass
• Asad – keyboards

Dustu Chheler Dol (2001)

All music is composed by James

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

Personnel

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

External links

• James at IMDb