How many versions of "Theme From Shaft" are there?

[Funky Dude]

I've heard a number of versions of "Theme From Shaft", some instrumental, some with the same lyrics as Isaac's, some with totally different lyrics and some Shaft related songs. I was wondering how many different versions of "Shaft" are there?

Here's the list of Shaft and Shaft related songs excluding Shaft's Big Score and Shaft in Africa

Isaac Hayes - Theme From Shaft 1971 (You all know this)

Isaac Hayes - Theme From Shaft (New version)

Nite-Liters - Theme From Shaft 1972 (Instrumental)

Sammy Davis Jr - John Shaft 1972 (with different lyrics)

The Button Down Brass (featuring the funky trumpet of Ray Davies) - Shaft (Jazz/funk version of Shaft)

Bar-Kays - Son Of Shaft 1972 (Different song but very similar theme, these guys did the funky guitar wah wah work for Isaac's "Theme From Shaft")

Also I have a bunch of 1975 episodes of an Australian variety show called "The Norman Gunston Show" and on one of the episodes these three old blokes called "The Horry Dardy Trio" played their harmonicas to the instrumental of "Theme From Shaft", so it was like the harmonicas replaced the horns. Now there's something you don't see everyday.

It's amazing how many different versions of "Shaft" there are, now can any of you's name any other versions that I haven't listed?

[Blaxman]

Hi Funky!

I Know every track that you listed above (thank god), and I have another one to add.

It's a brazilian instrumental version from "Theme of Shaft". It was released under the title "Tema de Tucão". So, let me add:

"TEMA DE TUCÃO" by ORQUESTRA SOM LIVRE (1972)

Peace.

_________________
SENHORES DO GROOVE - BRAZIL

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Blaxman on 2002-06-18 14:36 ]</font>

[sirius]

Dear Funky Dude!
There´s also another Version called
"Shaft II" on the LP from ISAAC HAYES called
"For The Sake Of Love" released 1978. This
version has more the thumb-thumb-like Disco
Beat and is about 9:51 long.
Also on the Double-Album-Original-Soundtrack
there´s a short reprise for recommended
to mix it up together.
Cosmic Love & Kisses From SIRIUS & DARKTUNES

[DISCODISK]

hi funky,
another was shaft-van twist from the mid 80s on polydor i think it came from belgium, at the same time there was one more but i dont remember by who.the van twist had a vocoder type vocal so dont search the earth for it!there was a comedy dance record on avco from 75 by r.b.freeman called im shaft(you aint shaft) was big in england and quite amusing too!

[JussiK]

Joe Bataan did a killer version, I think easily the very best since the original. Six minutes long, too. A re-issue is in dj stores at the moment so get it and play it in your car and impress everyone. Music does not come much cooler than the early pre-Rapo-clapo Bataan albums. Other, lesser versions include Love Unlimited Orch ( pretty poor), Gil Ventura ( rather good)and Eddie and the Soulband (okayish). Several easy listening albums have limp reworkings of the theme, too, should you be a completist seek out f.ex. James Last. James, of course, could turn out baaad tracks if he so wanted, the funkiness of Se A Cabo and Jingo from his "Voodoo Party" album cannot be disputed.

[Move2This]

I have another version by the Ambros Seelos Orchestra. This version was one track of a whole tranche of music recorded specifically to be played during BBC test transmissions in the days before there was 24 hour TV in the UK.

Despite the name, the Ambros Seelos Orchestra was apparently German!

[dj_coolcut]

The Theme from Shaft version i prefer is by Decimo in a obscure 12" which came out only, i think, in Italy on the EMI label. It's a disco masterpiece with mighty beat and sweet wah wah.

[dj_coolcut]

The Theme from Shaft version i prefer is by Decimo in a obscure 12" which came out only, i think, in Italy on the EMI label. It's a disco masterpiece with mighty beat and sweet wah wah.