Eddy and the Soul Band was a Dutch-based musical ensemble who were active during the 1980s. Led by Eddy Conard they had hits with their versions of Soul Cha Cha", and "Theme from Shaft".
Background Band leader Eddy Conard is from Gary, Indiana. Growing up he was obsessed with Isaac Hayes' hit song "Theme from Shaft". It was apparently the first record he purchased.Oxford Reference - OVERVIEW, Eddy And The Soul Band Moving to Holland he studied sociology and he became a resident there. A percussionist from the age of twenty he played in bands who supported acts such as The Supremes, The Stylistics, Natalie Cole and Crown Heights Affair. He had a big hit in Holland with his version of Van McCoy's "Soul Cha Cha". Apparently a remark by a Dutch disk jockey gave him the encouragement to record his version of "Theme from Shaft".Record Mirror, March 9, 1985 - Page 9 REVISITED - MIKE GARDNER
In 1982, Conard had some success with the single, "You Are Unique". Credited to Eddy Conard & The American Dance Band, it charted for five weeks in the Netherlands.Dutch Charts - EDDY CONARD & THE AMERICAN DANCE BAND - YOU ARE UNIQUE
Career Soulchacha aka Soul Cha Cha The group covered Van McCoy's song, "Soul Cha Cha", but had the title as "Soulchacha". It was backed with "In the Night". Both sides were produced by Jacques Zwart. It was released in the Netherlands on Philips Philips 818 237–7.hitparade.ch - Eddy And The Soulband – Soul Chacha The single peaked at no. 24 in the Dutch charts during the first quarter of 1984.Dutch Charts - EDDY AND THE SOULBAND - SOUL CHACHATop 40.nl - SOUL CHACHA eddy and the soulband It was also a hit in Belgium, spending a total of three weeks in the chart there, peaking at no. 28.Charts.org.nz - EDDY AND THE SOULBAND - SOUL CHACHA (SONG)
Theme from Shaft Eddy and the Soulband recorded their version of the "Theme from Shaft" which was released in the UK in 12" format on Beat Records 308467 (Hot Pursuit Mix),Discogs - Eddy And The Soulband* – Theme From Shaft, Label: Break Records – 308467Record Mirror, January 26, 1985 - Page 25 Discos On the Go-Go: JAMES HAMILTON, ODDS 'N' BOD'S and in 7" format on Club JAB 11.45Cat - Eddy And The Soulband - Discography, UKRecord Mirror, February 23, 1985 - Page 29 UK Singles, THIS WEEK 30, LAST WEEK _, WEEKS ON CHART 1, SHAFT, Eddy And The Soul Band, Club JAB11
On the week of January 26, 1985, the 12" Hot Pursuit Mix version which was issued on Break 308467Discogs - Eddy And The Soulband* – Theme From Shaft, Label: Break Records – 308467Record Mirror, January 26, 1985 - Page 25 Discos On the Go-Go: JAMES HAMILTON, ODDS 'N' BOD'S made its debut in at no. 50 in the Record Mirror Disco chart.Record Mirror, January 26, 1985 - Page 24 Record Mirror Disco, 50 — THEME FROM 'SHAFT', Eddy and the Soulband, Dutch Break 12in On the week of February 23, 1985, the 7" version of the record debuted in the UK singles chart at no. 30.45Cat - Eddy And The Soulband - Discography, UKRecord Mirror, February 23, 1985 - Page 29 UK Singles, THIS WEEK 30, LAST WEEK _, WEEKS ON CHART 1, SHAFT, Eddy And The Soul Band, Club JAB11 The Hot Pursuit Mix also reached its peak position of no. 3 in the Disco chart that same week.Record Mirror, February 23, 1985 - Page 31 Record Mirror Disco, 3 8 THEME FROM ' SHAFT' ( HOT PURSUIT MIX), Eddy and the Soulband, Club 12inRecord Mirror, March 2, 1985 - Page 29 Record Mirror Disco, 4 3 THEME FROM ' SHAFT' ( HOT PURSUIT MIX), Eddy and the Soulband, Club 12in On the week of March 9, 1985, the "Hot Persuit Mix" version of the song had dropped down from no. 4 to no. 5 in the Record Mirror RM Disco chart.Record Mirror, March 9, 1985 - Page 25 RM DISCO, 5 4 THEME FROM ' SHAFT' (HOT PURSUIT MIX), Eddy and the Soulband At week three, the 7" version of "Shaft" had moved up from 19 to 13.Record Mirror, March 9, 1985 - Page 38 UK SINGLES THIS WEEK 13 LAST WEEK 19 WEEKS IN CHART 3 SHAFT, Eddy And The Soul Band, Club The single 7" version would spend a total of seven weeks in the UK chart, peaking at no. 13.Official Charts - THEME FROM SHAFT, by EDDY AND THE SOUL BANDRecord Mirror, April 6, 1985 - Page 42 Official Top Of The Pops/ Radio One Charts compiled by Gallup, Week ending April 6, 1985, UK SINGLES, THIS WEEK 69, LAST WEEK 46, WEEKS IN CHART 7, SHAFT, Eddy And The Soul Band, Club The week of April 6 was also the last week the 12" version was in the Disco chart.Record Mirror, April 6, 1985 - Page 29 RM DISCO, 28 22 THEME FROM ' SHAFT', Eddy and the Sou!band, Club 12inRecord Mirror, April 13, 1985 - Page 29 RM DISCO
The single was also in the Record Mirror Night Club chart and was at no. 5 on the week of April 30.Record Mirror, April 30, 1985 - Page 34 N I G H T C L U B, POP JOX are playing His version of "Theme from Shaft" came in at no. 61 in the Record Mirror Year End Disco chart for 1985.Record Mirror, January 4, 1986 - Page 37 YEAR END DISCO, 61 YHEME FROM SHAFT, Eddy And The Soul Band, Club I 2in
Further activities The group recorded the single, "The World Turns On (Peace Version)" which was backed with "The World Turns On (Dub Version)". Produced by Jacques Zwart and Albert Boekholt, it was released in the UK on Club JABX 19 in 1985. It was also credited to Eddie C, and the Soulband. In the November 2 issue of Music Week, James Hamilton referred to it as an "oddball Eurodisco instrumental medley of originally Norman Whitfield-produced Temptations/Edwin Starr oldies with unpredictable appeal".Discogs - Eddie C. & The Soulband* – The World Turns OnMusic Week, November 2, 1985 - Page 35 DISCO, JAMES HAMILTON It was also in the Airplay Action Bubbling chart that week.Music Week, November 2, 1985 - Page 12 Airplay action Bubbling, 6 (-) EDDIE C. AND THE SOULBAND: The World Turns Club/Phonogram/JAB 19 (F) It was still in the Bubbling chart on the week of November 9.Music Week, November 9, 1985 - Page 14 Airplay action Bubbling, 6 (6) EDDIE C. AND THE SOULBAND: The World Turns Club/Phonogram/JAB 19 (F)
Later years Conard was the featured vocalist on " A Swingin' Safari" by Afringo. It spent four weeks in the Dutch charts, peaking at no. 72 in August, 1992.Discogs - Afringo – A Swingin' SafariDutch Charts - EDDY CONARD DISCOGRAFIE / FAN WORDEN, A Swingin' Safari (Afringo)
Discography + Singles (Netherlands) Act Release Catalogue Year Notes Eddy and the Soulband "Soulchacha" / In the Night" Philips 818 237–7 1983 Eddy and the Soulband "Theme From Shaft" / "Love-Train" Philips 880 089–7 1984 Eddy and the Soulband Theme From "Shaft" (Special U.K. Mix) / "Vision of Love" Philips 880 089–7 1985 45Cat - Eddy And The Soulband - Discography, Netherlands Eddie C. And The Soul Band "The World Turns On (Young & Strong Edit)" / "Boogalized" Casablanca 884 026–7 1985 Discogs - Eddie C. And The Soul Band* – The World Turns On
References
External links Discogs – Eddy & The Soulband 45Cat – Eddy And The Soulband - Discography Ol Skool Vinyl channel, May 25, 2015 – Eddy and The Soul Band - Theme From "Shaft " (audio) Pipis Stereo channel, Sep 28, 2018 – SOUL chacha EDDY AND THE SOUL BAND 1983 (audio)