Welcome to Unearthed African Recordings, we are so happy you have joined us here
As our name suggests, at the heart of Unearthed is a significant series of long-lost and long-neglected recordings. Our mission has been to dust off, polish and re-master them – to the highest possible standards.
The recordings were originally released during the peak vinyl period of the 1970s and 1980s, before the format was supplanted by cassettes and then CDs – a time when record shops across West and Central Africa stocked an abundance of music in many styles and languages.
In this period, Lagos, Nairobi, Kinshasa, Freetown, Dakar and other regional centres had thriving local music scenes supported by hundreds of record labels. Every month, their recording studios and vinyl pressing plants produced significant quantities of new releases. Many of the records were produced primarily for local communities and in local languages. We have combed many countries – mainly in West Africa – in search of these previously un-reissued musical gems.
As vinyl faded away, so record-players eventually stopped functioning. Many, if not most, of these records have languished unheard for decades on attic shelves, on top of cupboards, in garages and basements across the continent.
At Unearthed African Recordings we view this music as a significant cultural resource. We have put a lot of love, hard work and effort into rescuing, cleaning and ‘de-clicking’ recordings sourced from the original vinyl (and, boy, did some of them need some cleaning…).
We have submitted each recording to the best available remastering processes, and now deliver a sound quality that is close to what the artists would have heard in the studio. The music ‘jumps up’ from the speakers, as if they were reborn.
We hope you enjoy listening to these gems as much as we have – and if you do, please take a moment and add yourself to our mailing list here and we’ll keep you up to date you on our regular releases.
Our business philosophy
Many of our recordings were originally released by local record companies that paid the artists a one-off fee – a small amount of money, with no on-going royalties.
Most of these companies ceased trading many decades ago. No paperwork remains to prove either ownership or the agreements they had with their artists.
While we strive to recoup our not insignificant costs, one of our key aims is to deliver any streaming income directly to the artists we feature, who have in effect been ‘orphaned’ and neglected by their original labels.
The sums involved may not be significant, because we service a relatively niche market. But we want to ensure, wherever possible, that the artists, their estates and direct family members receive their share.
We recognise that many of the artists may no longer be alive, and when this is the case we wish to actively reach out to their families. If this applies to you, please get in touch, using this form on our contact page.
Dele SOSIMI
Dele Sosimi is a Nigerian-British musician, educator and Afrobeat ambassador who is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on Afrobeat. Dele began his career as a teenager with Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80, and later co-founded Femi Kuti’s Positive Force. Since relocating to the UK in 1995 he has been central to the global Afrobeat movement, and has spent more than four decades touring, recording, and championing the music around the world.
Renowned for his blend of funk grooves, Nigerian rhythms, African percussion, and jazz-infused keyboard virtuosity, Dele has performed on countless stages, from Montreux Jazz Festival to Mawazine in Morocco, and served as a consultant for the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of the hit musical Fela!.
ED KEAZOR
Ed Emeka Keazor is an Anglo-Nigerian historian, lawyer, archivist, and filmmaker dedicated to reinterpreting Nigerian and African history.
He is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a Fellow of the RSA and author of acclaimed works including The Lagos Hamburg Line, 120 Great Nigerians We Never Knew, and The Federation Cup and Nigerian Football, alongside over 100 publications.
His award-winning documentaries include January 15, 1970: Untold Memories of the Nigeria-Biafra War, Ki’mon! The Eastern Nigerian Afro-Funk Revolution, and Never Say Die: The Enugu Rangers Story. He was Associate Director and Chief Researcher for Showmax’s Journey of the Beats and consultant-historian for the Federal Government’s We Are Nigerians.
Emeka is also Director of the Nsibidi Institute, sits on several cultural and educational boards and recognized by The Guardian Nigeria as one of 60 persons of impact in 60 years.
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STEPHEN BUDD
Stephen Budd is a long-time manager and former chairman of the MMF (Music Managers Forum) who has guided multiple BRIT and Grammy-winning producers to hundreds of Gold and Platinum certifications.
He managed Gang of Four, Heaven 17, The Magic Numbers, Nubiyan Twist and producers including Rick Nowels (Lana Del Rey), Tony Visconti (David Bowie), Mike Hedges (U2) and many more. He launched India’s longest-running rock festival, the NH7 Weekender, founded what has become Brits Week for WarChild and has two decades of global collaborations with Damon Albarn’s Africa Express project.
JUSTIN IGE
Justin Ige is a Nigerian attorney recognized for his expertise in music copyright, collective management, and rights enforcement. Over his career, he has played a pivotal role in advancing compliance with Nigeria’s Copyright Law, securing historic royalty collections from broadcasters, hotels, telecoms, and multinational organizations. His negotiations and landmark litigation have shaped the development of collective management, establishing him as a leading authority in the Nigerian creative sector.
In 2015, Justin was inducted into the Copyright Society of Nigeria Roll of Honour in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting the copyright culture and defending the rights of creative professionals.
Beyond law, Justin is a seasoned music executive and accomplished pianist and saxophonist, bringing hands-on experience in composition, production, and publishing and is also a professional member of the Recording Academy.
SEAMUS MORLEY
A veteran of the British music industry, Seamus started his career working with David Bowie’s record producer Tony Visconti at his central London studios. Seamus has gone on to manage and record with multi-platinum selling artists such as Leftfield, Above&Beyond, Prodigy, Deep Forrest and Maroon 5. He also owns and runs record labels specialising in re-issuing jazz, blues and country music originally released between the 1930s and the early 1960s.
JAMES BARNETT
A creative strategist working at the intersection of music, technology, and culture, James has built labels, scaled fan-data start-ups, curated festivals, and led cross-disciplinary teams for artists and global brands. He is also a platinum-selling producer and artist with over 30 years’ experience. As co-founder of Mi7 Music, board member at Openstage, and Entertainment Director for Greenpeace at Glastonbury, James’s work spans artist development, A&R, digital marketing and audience innovation, creating systems that connect culture with lasting impact.
Our partners
Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN), established in 1984, is the country’s leading Collective Management Organization (CMO) dedicated to protecting, licensing and remunerating music creators.
Licensed by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, MCSN serves composers, songwriters, performers, producers, and publishers – ensuring they are paid when their works are used, whether on radio, TV, streaming services, at live venues or abroad.
The Society negotiates licences, monitors usage, collects royalties, and distributes them fairly and transparently. With over 15,000 registered members and growing national presence, MCSN advocates creator rights and supports the creative ecosystem across Nigeria and through global partnerships.
Unearthed African Recordings work with MCSN to ensure earnings from these recordings are distributed to the artists who performed them.
Dele Sosimi’s Pick Of The Month
The Return OF The Apola King ‘Chapter 1’ by Apola King Idowu Animashawun And His Lisabi Brothers International
Originally released in 1978, this Juju gem, showcases the signature style of the mighty Apola King himself and consists of two continuous “takes” of several of his lesser known songs.