The Decca West Africa Yellow Label

British Library Recordings

The Decca West Africa yellow label series, was issued on shellac disc between 1948-1958, this collection housed at the British Library provides one of the largest sources of West African music from the British Label Decca this vast collection can be used to research the study of contemporary African music. The majority of the recordings originate from Ghana. This series also features some household names, such as highlife stars E.T. Mensah and his Tempos Band, King Bruce or The Black Beats.

A large number of recordings were of Nigerian musicians, including Ojoge Daniel, Theophilus Iwalokun, Adeolu Akinsanya, and other early juju pioneers. However, more importantly, the collection includes more obscure artists, many of whom have long since passed away, thus providing a detailed picture of the musical scene in West Africa.

This music belongs to the British Library. All the music of this page has been recorded and preserved by the British Library Sound Archive and can also be found on their website with more detailed information.

View A Dictionary of English-Tshi (Asante) by Basel Evang Missionary Society

View the Yoruba English - English Yoruba Dictionary by Olabiyi Babalola Yai

Source: The British Library Sound Archive

Decca West African Yellow Label Series

Official British Library Sound Archive Website - World and Traditional Music

Read the Origin and Development of Juju Music 1900-1990 by Ogisi Arugha pdf

Read the History of Juju Music book by T Ajayi Thomas (Exclusively on Ambientscape) pdf