Country's pioneer band SOULS in collaboration with Grameenphone Limited on August 17,  launched its new album‘Jam’ to be exclusively available to the subscribers of Grameenphone over a period of two months as a Value Added Service like Welcome Tune, Full Track Download, Music Radio etc. The tracks will be available only for Grameenphone subscriber from 19 August, 2011.

The members of SOULS and Grameenphone officials released the album at a ceremony at the Hotel Ruposhi Bangla in the city amid the presence of music luminaries of the country. 

The new album features the lyrics of the winner of the music contest‘SOULS featuring you’ while gives the winning instrumentalist of the same contest the rare opportunity to play instrument for songs in the album.

Earlier, Grameenphone, in collaboration with the country's leading band SOULS launched the music contest titled‘SOULS Featuring You’ on July 13 to inspire budding lyricists and instrumentalists to write a song, and play instrument respectively in SOULS's just released album‘Jam.’

The campaign received massive response from music lovers across and beyond the country as thousands of young lyricists and instrumentalists registered their entries though 4040(music radio) and email during the first phase of the campaign.

In music instruments category, shortlisted contestants took part in an audition in front of a panel of Judges on August 02 at GP Corporate Head Quarters in Bashundhara. The judges’ panel included current and former members of the band “SOULS” including eminent musicians Nasim Ali, Nakib Khan, Pilu Khan, Funty and Rony.

Three instruments were selected by the judges for the next round which is Audience Voting. Audience voting was taken place from August 05 to 08.
The final winners were selected on basis of combining total score obtained from audience voting and judges’ marks.
 
Kazi Monirul Kabir, Chief Communications Officer of Grameenphone handed over memorabilia to two winners of the contest. They are lyricist Mahhfuz Rahmaan and instrument player Jahid Anawer.

The winning lyricist Mahhfuz Rahmaan said “I have always dreamt of putting melody to my words. But it was beyond my imagination that Souls will someday sing my songs. I’m sure there are many other like me who wants the same. And this is a great opportunity to many others who has the potential but do not have any platform to express themselves. Thank you for taking this initiative.”

The winning instrument player Jahid Anawer, who with his melodic Violin had won the hearts of the judges and audience alike said: “I’m really happy that my talent has been recognized. Thank you everyone for this wonderful opportunity.

Mr. Sajid Rizwan Matin, Head of Market Communications, Grameenphone said:‘We believe the launch of digital albums through our services will bring our subscribers closer to their favorite music and artists closer to their fan base. We are thankful to Souls for their partnership in pioneering this initiative.’

Chief Communications Officer Kazi Monirul Kabir said “Music is our youth's integral part of life. Our young stars are capable to prove themselves whenever they got opportunity. We along with SOULS tried to give them an opportunity”.

“Grameenphone will be contributing for Bangladesh's music industry in the upcoming days,” he added.

Partha Barua of SOULS said “I hope our fans will love the new album. I am very happy that we used a young star's lyric and another one played with us in a track. It was a nice experience. We are feeling bit special while launching this album as it is a digital launch, I will like to thank Grameenphone for this initiative”.

Corporate Communications Department
Grameenphone Ltd.
Telephone: 9882990
Website: www.grameenphone.com