Late 1950s/Early 1960s
Victor Olaiya & his Cool Cats
Odale Ore b/w Mofe Muyon (10" 78; Badejo's Sound Studios [Lagos] BBA 150)
1960s?
Various Artists
Catchy Rhythms from Nigeria - Vol. 2 (10" LP; Philips West Africa [Lagos] P 13401)
[1] Cool Cats Invitiation (Victor Olaiya & his Cool Cats) / Onyeoma Rosa (Ishie Brothers) / Save For a Rainy Day (Sammy Akpabat & his All Stars) / Olowofuja Sawa (Julius O. Araba & his Rhythm Blues) / Omolanke (Victor Olaiya & his Cool Cats)
[2] Iyawo-Ile (Ganiyu Kale & his Guinea Mambo Orchestra) / Mafara, Kusa da Sokoto (Ishie Brothers) / Ayakata ("Baby-Face" Paul Isamade & his Top-Toppers) / Nsonma Nnem (Joe Nez & his Trio) / Mumude (Victor Olaiya & his Cool Cats)
1961
Dr. Victor Olaiya & his All Stars
Olaiya's Victories (10" LP; Philips [Netherlands] 13403)
[A] Laifia We Lawani / Pambotoriboto / Ya Bonsa No. 2 / Adelebo / Tonwoku / Anyin Ga Na
[B] Moonlight Highlife / Olaiya's Incantation / Mr. Judge / Ewa...! / Kiriji
-- Michael Scott indicates that this is a 1961 Dutch pressing, but there are undoubtedly later Nigerian pressings (some probably in the 12" format) as well.
Early 1960s
Various Artists
Catchy Rhythms From Nigeria - Vol. 3 (10" LP; Philips West Africa [Lagos] 13404)
[1] Ko Fo'run (Victor Olaiya & his All Stars) / Plenty Sunshine (Agu Norris & the Heatwaves) / Adaku Maranma (Joe Nez & his Orchestra) / Olowo Gba'ya Ole (Roy Chicago & his Abalabi-Rhythm Dandies") / Onye Maechi (Zeal Onyia & his Band)
[2] Obo Mi Ebe Mi (Tex Dandies Dance Band) / Maria (Roy Chicago & his Abalabi-Rhythm Dandies) / Asiko (The Harmonaires accompanied by the Modernaires Five) / The Governor General Calypso (Agu Norris & the Heatwaves) / Asian Udo (Victor Olaiya & his All Stars)
1960s
Victor Olaiya & his Cool Cats
Afro-Rhythm Parade Vol. 2 (7" EP; Philips [Netherlands] 420001)
[A] Cool Cats Vicotry / Bonsue
[B] Trumpet Highlife / Anyin Ga Na
1960s?
Victor Olaiya & his All Stars
Oruku Tiniditindi / Iye Jemila (7" 45; Philips [Lagos] 303 015)
1960s
Victor Olaiya & his All Stars
Pambotoriboto b/w Moonlight Highlife (7" 45; Philips [Lagos] 382357)
1960s
Victor Olaiya & his All Stars
Feso J'aiye / Asian Udo (7" 45; Philips [Lagos] 382 397)
1960s
Victor Olaiya & his All Stars
Kosowo Lode b/w Ewelewekuewele (7" 45; Philips [Lagos] 382739)
1960s
Victor Olaiya & his All Stars
Afro-Rhythm Parade Vol. 7 (7" EP; Philips [Lagos] 420014)
[A] Ko Forun / Feso J'aiye
[B] Lekeleke / Iye Jemila
Late 1960s?
Various Artists
West Africa's Big Sound (7" EP; Philips [Lagos] [Lagos] 420023 PE)
[A] Bere Bote (Pastor Rex Lawson & his Mayor's Dance Band) / Easy Life Baby (Easy Life Top Beats)
[B] Twist Festival (King Kennytone & his Top Toppers) / So Fun Mi (Victor Olaiya & his All Stars)
1982
Dr. Victor Olaiya
In the Sixties (LP; Polydor [Lagos] POLP 066)
[A] Omo Pupa / Pariboto Riboto / Yabonsa / Ewa / Opatarisius
[B] Kiriki Kenkeluke / Omo Lere Aiye / Lafia We Lawani / Kale San Wa / Aigana
1982
Dr. Victor Olaiya
Highlife Reincaration (LP; Polydor [Lagos] POLP 073)
[A] All Stars Invitation / Moonlight Highlife / So Fun Mi / Laba Laba
[B] Iyawo Patako / Mo Fe Mu'yan / Iye Jemila
1983
Dr. Victor Olaiya
Ilu Le O (Country Hard 0!)
(LP; Polydor [Lagos] POLP 096)
[A] Ko Siowo Liode /Ê Fa Mi Mora (Gba Solo De E) / Ekwe Ngbaduga
[B] Pass Port / Adogan / Kula Wi Yoyo / Ariya Kabiyesi
1983
Various Artists
African Music (LP; Vertigo [Netherlands] 814 480-1)
[A] Ekassa 24 [Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestroes] / Obiako Nwam [Gentleman Mike Ejeaga & His Premier Dance Band] / Onu Kwulunjo [Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers International] / Five Days A Week Love [Victor Uwaifo & The Titibitis] / Ewa [Dr. Victor Olaiya] / Tamuno Bo Ibro Ma [Cardinal Rex Lawson & His Majors Band Of Nigeria]
[B] Odindu Nyuliba [Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe & His Nigeria Sound Makers International] / Let Them Say [Prince Nico Mbarga & His New Rocafil Jazz] / Igede Pt 1 [Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National] / Mo Fe Mu 'Yan [Dr. Victor Olaiya & His International Stars Band] / Ndito Isong Emana Nyin [Martha Ulaeto]
-- A nice collection of tracks from the Polygram Nigeria stable of artists. Most have been edited for this compilation.
1983
E.T. Mensah & Dr. Victor Olaiya
Highlife Giants of Africa Vol. 1 (LP; Polydor [Lagos] POLP 102)
[A] Trumpet Highlife / Anyanko Goro / Mr. Judge / Odofo Nuapa
[B] Omolanke / Essi Nana / Yabomisa No. 2
1986
Dr. Victor Olaiya
Papingo Davalaya (LP; Polydor [Lagos] POLP 156)
[A] Tina Ma Te / Papingo Davalaya / Africa
[B] Oruku Tindi Tindi / Gbemi Sola / Aiye Yi Dun / Akwa Mberi Nugo
2001?
Dr. Victor Olaiya
The Best of Dr. Victor Olaiya - 3 Decades of Highlife (CD; Premier Music [Lagos] KMCD003)
Trumpet Highlife / Invitation Highlife / Omopupa / Mofe Mu Yan / Iye Jemila / Ilu Le O / So Fun Mi / Tina Mate / Omolanke / 10 Ai Ga Na
2003?
Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya
Highlife in The 80's - The Best of Dr. Victor Olaiya Vol. 2 - Evil Genius of Highlife (CD; Premier Music [Lagos] KMCD007)
Moonlight Highlife / Opataricious (Victor Olaiyas Incantation) / Africa / Mr. Judge / Yabomisa No.2 / Ekwe Ngbaduga / Oruku Tindi Tindi / Labalaba / Fami Mora O (Gbasoledeo) / Lafia We Lawani)
?
2002?
Various Artists
High Life Kings Vol. 1 (CD; Premier Music [Lagos] KMCD 01)
Osoni Owendu (Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe) / Onye Uri Ubata (Mike Ejeagha) / Igede (Celestine Ukwu) / Usondu (Celestine Ukwu) / Bere Bote (Rex Lawson) / Omo Pupa (Dr. Victor Olaiya) / Joromi (Sir Victor Uwaifo) / Kwue Nkenyi (Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe) / Anate (Rex Lawson) / Okwudili (Paulson Kalu) / Ugwu Onyirika Watu (Paulson Kalu) / Sanmari Adugbo (Wuru Fadaka)
2002?
Various Artists
High Life Kings Vol. 2 (CD; Premier Music [Lagos] KMCD 02)
Makojo (Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe) / Esonta (Chief Inyang Henshaw) / Ebonjo Eedidem Iban (Chief Inyang Henshaw) / Pariboto Riboto (Dr. Victor Olaiya) / Jolaosho (St. Augustine & The Rovers Dance Band) / Ogirri (St. Augustine & The Rovers Dance Band) / Atabal Woman ( Professional Seagulls Dance Band) / Afro Baby ( Professional Seagulls Dance Band) / Akuete (Victor Uwaifo) / Joromi (Sir Victor Uwaifo) / Okina (Akaba Man) / Abari Biya (Rex Lawson) / Ikpechakwa A-Akem Kpee (Gentle Man Ejeagha) / Yoba Chukwu (Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe) / Osuala Oru Enene (Cardinal Rex Lawson) / Guitar Boy (Sir Victor Uwaifo)
-- Track titles and artists are listed here as they are on these two CD's, although in some cases they are misspelled.
2003?
Various Artists
The Kings of Highlife (CD; Wrasse Records [UK] WRASS 097)
Guitar Boy (Sir Victor Uwaifo) / Makojo (Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe) / Joromi (Sir Victor Uwaifo) / Omo Pupa (Dr. Victor Olaiya) / Osondi Owendi (Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe) / Anate (Sir Rex Jim Lawson) / Okwudili (Paulson Kalu) / Sanmari Adugbo (Wura Fadaka) / Esonta (Chief Inyang Henshaw) / Ikpechakwa A-Akem Kpee (Gentle Man Ejeagha) / Igede (Celestine Ukwu) / Bere Bote (Sir Rex Jim Lawson) / Usondu (Celestine Ukwu) / So Fun Mi (Dr. Victor Olaiya)
-- An abbreviated version of the 2-volume Premier Records set High Life Kings (above).
2005
Victor Olaiya & his International All Stars / St. Augustine
Let Yourself Go/There Was a Time / Papa de Love (7"45; Soundway [UK] SNDW 7002)
-- Reissue of a James Brown cover originally released by Philips Nigeria in 1970. Victor Olaiya is on the A side, St. Augustine on the B side.
2009
Victor Olaiya's All Stars Soul International (CD; Vampisoul [Spain] VAMPI 107)
Let Yourself Go/There Was A Time / Okere Gwonko / I Feel Alright / Soro Jeje Fum Arogbo / Cold Sweat / New Nigeria / Things Got To Get Better / Everybody Needs Love / Magic Feet / Onuro / Mother Popcorn
-- Reissue of a James Brown cover originally released by Philips Nigeria in 1970. Victor Olaiya
-- This discography was compiled by John Beadle at P.O. Box 100174, Milwaukee, WI 53210 USA. E-mail to John Beadle
Thanks to: Michael Kieffer, Jan Duinkerken, Gilbert Hsiao, Michael Scott, Celine Bourdon-Ngo, David Rich, Kazuya Ogiwara...
Last updated on September 4, 2009