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BRITISH LIBRARY SOUND ARCHIVE - DECCA WEST AFRICA SERIES VOL.2

London, 18.12.24

Another selection of recordings released on 78 rpm shellac disc by Decca West Africa. The Decca West Africa series was issued on shellac disc between 1947 and 1958 and includes artists from Ghana (WA.101-150, WA.500s-900s), Nigeria (WA.151-213, WA.1500s-1900s, WA. 3000s-3100s), Sierra Leone (WA.2500s-2700s) and Benin (WA.214-218). During those years, the label captured the emergence and evolution of modern popular genres such as highlife, jùjú, sakara, apala and maringa, documenting an incredibly diverse wealth of ‘modern-traditional’ urban genres and styles.

Languages, cultures, genres and issue numbers below are as printed on the original disc labels. Selection and mix by Michele Banal.

Tracklist

  • AMANO AHONG’S BAND
    Aba-Ee (Fante, Dance Song), WA. 112
  • WONODI AND HIS GROUP
    Onye Uku Ajile Nyeoma (Ibo, Elele), WA. 165
  • The Porto Novo Singers 
    Hogbonu
  • BOAMPON’S KWAHU BAND
    Adaka Teaa (Twi, Dance Song), WA. 129
  • Asaba Youth Orchestra 
    Ka-Nyi Naba Nibo
  • Akosua Brenya And Group 
    Awoo Se Wo Na Wonno Bi A Yekyi
  • Adisa And His Group 
    Hon. Oloron-Nimbe Mayor Eke
  • MENDI JOLLY GROUP
    Kom Bay Mar (Mendi), WA. 2531
  • EDWARD AKPOLO AIGBODION’S ORCHESTRA
    Aremon Usidamen (Ora), WA. 1531
  • OBIBA T. K. BAND
    Kumasi Train (Ga, Highlife), WA. 510
  • POPOOLA AKANBI AND HIS GROUP
    Karimu Ayinde (Yoruba), WA. 1555
  • SANNI GIWA AND HIS GROUP
    Ere Lanfomoayose (Ijebu), WA. 1552
  • KWAA MENSAH AND HIS FANTI TRIO
    Tekyrema Da Menum (Fanti, Highlife), WA. 627
  • MANHYIA-ADOMKUM BAND
    Oponin Anwo A Wo Nnsi. Na Bo. (Twi), WA. 644
  • RANCHO BOYS’ ORCHESTRA
    Kenta Calypso No. 1 (Yoruba), WA. 1613
  • AYENI AND HIS GROUP
    Mangegbe Re (Ora), WA. 1683
  • WEPPA WENO ORCHESTRA
    Okumgbe Nogieme (Edo), WA. 1722
  • MA FELREH AND HER SUSU JOLLY GROUP
    Kingsway Sairie (Susu), WA. 2634
  • JAMES MADDY AND HIS UNITED BOYS AND GIRLS LONDON
    Swaray Sie (London) (Temne), WA. 2611
  • KWAA MENSAH’S GUITAR BAND
    Obra Yeko (Fanti, Native Blues), WA. 927
  • BLACK BEATS BAND LED BY KING BRUCE
    Menye Wo Bokor (Twi, Highlife), WA. 903
  • Adeolu & His Rio Lindo Orchestra 
    Lagos