Souls (band)
Souls is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in Chittagong in 1972 by singer Tajul Imam, guitarists Sajed ul Alam and Momtazul Hoque Lulu, bassist Subrata Barua Ronny, drummer and keyboardist Ahmed Newaz. Since their formation they have been playing an important role in Bangladeshi rock and roll music.[1] They are one of the pioneering rock bands in Bangladesh. They have helped define rock music in Bangladesh in the 1970s and 1980s with their albums like Super Souls (1982), College Er Corridor (1985), Manush Matir Kachakach (1986), East and West (1988).[2][3]
Souls | |
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Souls(Partha Barua) at reunion concert in SUST campus (2012) | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Shurela (1972-1974) |
Origin | Chittagong City, Bangladesh |
Genres | |
Years active | 1972–present |
Labels |
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Associated acts |
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Members |
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Past members |
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History
Formation and early days (1972-1973)
Their first lineup consisted of Sazed Ul Alam and Lulu on guitars, Newaz on keyboards, Ronny on drums, and Tajul on vocals.[4]
Towards the end of 1973, founder member Lulu left the band before Naquib Khan joined the band. His induction into the band was followed by his brother Pilu Khan and Tapan Chowdhury.[5][6]
Super Souls (1982)
In 1982, Nasim Ali Khan and Ayub Bachchu joined.[7][8] The band started writing and composing their own songs while performing cover songs of western bands in hotels.
In 1982, they released their debut album, "Super Souls", which was one of the first albums released by a music group in Bangladesh, along with the debut album of the band Shocking Blue. The album features the song "Mon Shudhu Mon Chuyeche". The Kumar Bishwajit song "Torey Putuler Moto Kore Shajiye" is a Souls track from their debut album. Abdullah Al Mamoon wrote the lyrics of this song, "Mukhorito Jibon" and "Voole Gecho Tumi" of the same album.[9][10]
College Er Corridorey (1985)
In 1985, they released their second album, Colleger Er Corridorey, which features the songs "College Er Corridorey", "Forrest Hill Er", "Football Football", "Khujish Jaharey", and "Paharer AkaBaka". After the release of their second album, Naquib Khan and Pilu khan left the band, and later formed the band Renaissance.[11]
Manush Matir Kachakachi (1986)
In 1986, a reconfigured Souls released their third album, Manush Matir Kacha Kachi, which contains the songs "Eitoh Ekhane Brishti Bheja", "Ek Jhaak Paakhi", and "Muthor Bhetor Poddo".[12][13]
East and West (1987-1988)
In 1988, they released their fourth album, East and West, which had six English and six Bengali songs. Even though they had started their career singing English songs, this was the first time they released them. The songs were all written and composed by the band.[14]
Departure of members (1989-1990)
Afterwards, Ayub Bachchu left Souls to form Little River Band, which was later renamed Love Runs Blind and is also known by its acronym, LRB.
E Emon Porichoy (1993)
In 1993, Souls released their fifth album, E Emon Porichoy, which was Tapan Chowdhury's last appearance in Souls. Afterwards, he left the band to pursue a solo career. Chowdhury was replaced by Partho Borua as the lead singer.
Aj Din Katuk Gaane (1995)
In 1995, Souls released their sixth album, Aj Din Katuk Gaane, which features popular songs "Keno Ei Nisshongota", sung by Partho, and "Bestota" and "Chaa-er Cup-e," sung by Naseem Ali.
Oshomoyer Gaan (1997)
In 1997, Souls released their seventh album, Oshomoyer Gaan which features the songs "Oshomoyer Gaan", "Ami Ar Bhabbo Na", and "Oi Dure Neel".
Mukhorito Jibon (2000)
In 2000, they released their first acoustic album, Mukhorito Jibon; it compiled some previously released songs, some remakes of old Indian Bengali songs, and some newly released songs. "Sharadin Tomay Behbe", "Bashi Shune Ar", and "Mukhorito Jibon" were some of the more widely played tracks from the album.
Tarar Uthane and To-Let (2001 and 2004)
In 2003 and 2004 respectively, they released their ninth and tenth albums, Tarar Uthan and To-Let. To-Let was the last album that sound engineer Mobin worked on before his death in a highway accident in Bangladesh.
Members
Present members
- Naseem Ali Khan – lead vocals (1980–present)
- Partha Barua – lead guitar, vocals (1989–present)
- Maruf Hasan Talukder – bass guitar (2012–present)
- Meer Masum – keyboards (2003–present)
- Ahasanur Rahman Ashiq – drums, percussion (2000–present)
Past members
- Tajul Imam - lead vocals (1973-1975)
- Sazed ul Alam - guitars (1972-1980)
- Momtazul Haque Lulu - guitars (1972-1974)
- Ahmed Newaz - keyboards (1972-1995)
- Subrata Barua Ronny – drums (1972-1995)
- Naquib Khan – keyboards (1973-1982)
- Pilu Khan – bass guitars (1973-1980)
- Tapan Chowdhury - lead vocals (1973-1993)
- Ayub Bachchu – guitars (1980-1990)
- Gerald Gonsalves - keyboards (1982-1985)
- Mohammad Ali – bass guitars (1985-1993)
- Suhas Hasnain - keyboards (1984-1989)
- Shahed ul Alam - bass guitars (1975-1984)
- Lutfur Kabir Azad - keyboards (1991-2004)
- Pantha Kanai - drums (1995-2000)
- Kumar Bishwajit - vocals (?)
Discography
- Super Souls (1982)
- "কলেজের করিডোরে (In the Corridors of College)" (1985)
- "মানুষ মাটির কাছাকাছি (People are Close to the Ground)" (1986)
- East & West (1988)
- "এ এমন পরিচয় (It's Such an Identity)" (1993)
- "আজ দিন কাটুক গানে (Let the Day Pass in Singing)" (1995)
- "অসময়ের গান (Untimely Song)" (1997)
- "মুখরিত জীবন (Face Life) (2000)
- "তারার উঠানে (In the Field of Stars)" (2003)
- To Let (2004)
- "ঝুট ঝামেলা (Junk Trouble)" (2006)
- Jam (2011)
References
- "Souls is one of the oldest rock bands in Bangladesh". www.bandmusicbd.blogspot.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Bangladeshi rock and roll bands". www.newagebd.net. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Souls is the most popular rock band in Bangladesh". www.nisarsoft.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Souls: The band from Chittagong". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- "Official home page of Souls". www.soulsbd.com. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- "Souls (Bangladeshi band)". www.nadimall.blogspot.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Biography of Legendary Guitar Player Ayub Bachchu". www.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Ayub Bachchu no more". en.prothomalo.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Evolution of Rock Music in Bangladesh". www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Famous bands of Bangladesh". www.bd-directory. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "বাংলাদেশের ব্যান্ডদল সোলস". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Joy Bangla Concert: Commemorating history through music". www.dhakatribune.com. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- "Souls: Dhaka Online Guide". www.online-dhaka.com. Retrieved 21 January 2019.;
- "Hamlet Tushar passes away". www.daily-bangladesh.com. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- "The idea of co-existence is central to our music". www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Souls comes up with patriotic songs to mark Indipendence Day". m.theindipendentbd.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Souls to release album after five years". www.clickittefaq.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.