James has also led a successful solo career, with hit albums like Ananya (1969), Palabe Kothay (1975), Dukhini Dukkho Korona (1977), Thik Achhe Bondhu (1979).

[4][5] James was born in Naogaon, Rajshahi on 2 October 1964 to father, Mojammel Haque and mother, Jahanara Khatun.

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.

[7][8] After some members left Feelings in 1981, James, Fanty, Pablo and Swapan re-formed the band and started to perform in local gigs.

Though the album was not a hit, the tracks "Ager Jonome", "Amai Jete Dao" and "Rupshagor" enjoyed moderate success.

Many lyricists have written songs for James, including poet Shamsur Rahman, Prince Mahmud, Marjuk Rasel, Shibli and Deholovi.

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 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.

[11] James, along with Gazi Shubhro and Jewel Paiker, co-owns the production house RED dot Multimedia Ltd, established in December 2005.