Opika Pende: Africa at 78 RPM

A digital edition of the critically acclaimed Opika Pende box set, this collection features 100 restored tracks from rare 78 RPM records recorded between 1909 and the 1960s, curated by Jonathan Ward of Excavated Shellac. These recordings—many digitized for the first time—span genres, languages, and regions across the African continent.

From the spiritual chants of Tuareg women in Mali to the early Congolese rumba of African Jazz, and Zulu vocal groups in South Africa to solo string performances from Sudan, this is an unparalleled journey into Africa’s musical heritage.

🎧 Includes:

• 100 audio tracks (digital files, high-quality format)
• Digital version of the 112-page companion book with detailed essays, artist notes, and rare images
• Metadata with artist, country, and language for each track

A powerful archival release that speaks to the richness of early recorded sound in Africa—and its enduring cultural legacy.