CHARLES & EDDIE : From Subway to the Charts

It’s not easy being an African-American/Hispanic singing duo these days.

“Some people look at us with fear and apprehension in their eyes--like they’re afraid of us, afraid of blacks and Hispanics being together,” said Charles Pettigrew, the African-American half of Charles & Eddie. The duo is getting raves for its Top 20 single “Would I Lie to You?” and its debut Capitol album, “Duophonic,” which puts a modern spin on ‘60s soul.

Eddie Chacon, 28, who co-wrote most of the album, added, “That negative vibe--fear, disgust, whatever--is strong when some people meet us for the first time. It’s an ugly part of this.”

There’s another part that’s just as ugly.

“This German reporter, who thought I was white, asked me how I could sing soul music, which belongs to the ‘coloreds,’ ” said Chacon, fuming as he recalled the incident. “Other people have asked me that. It’s an incredibly offensive question. I just want to punch these idiots out.”

Chacon’s response to the doubters is that he has a fanatical passion for ‘60s soul, particularly the works of Marvin Gaye and Al Green. “I’m positively nuts about that music,” he said. “When I sing it, it’s a homage--not some commercial rip-off.”

A mutual passion for ‘60s soul led to the pairing of Chacon, who’s from Oakland, and Pettigrew, a Philadelphian who studied jazz singing at the Berklee School of music. They met in a New York subway in 1990 and started exchanging soul albums from their extensive collections.

“We were pursuing separate solo careers when we met,” Pettigrew, also 28, recalled. “As we became better friends, with ‘60s soul as a common ground, we gradually figured out that we should be working together, singing material influenced by the music we both live and breathe. So we went after a record deal and wound up at Capitol.”

Assorted Marvin Gaye influences, particularly from his classic “What’s Going On” album, are the soul of the Charles & Eddie album.

“Sometimes when our voices blend it sounds like the way Marvin used harmonies on some of his songs,” Pettigrew explained. “When Marvin sang, it sent chills up and down your spine. I think we’re good but we’re no way near Marvin’s class. But in years to come, with a lot more seasoning . . . “