Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Noah Johnson is on a mission to uncover the hidden history of black and diverse heritage music in Wales, delving into a mountain of rare and astonishing black-originated music.

Join Noah Johnson - soul singer, recording artist, and proud of his African–Welsh heritage - as he charges into a thrilling three-part quest through the world of black‑originated and diverse‑heritage music in Wales. Driven by his personal connection with the Welsh music scene, Noah unearths dazzling forgotten tunes, untold stories and triumphant moments that shaped Black Welsh music.

Episode 1 sparks to life with:

Victor Parker, Wales’s Caribbean guitarist who took the London’s scene by storm - starting with Hawaiian‑style dance music and ultimately becoming the unmistakable voice and sound of Tiger Bay.

The Deniz brothers - Frank, José, and Laurence - sons of an African seaman and a British‑African musician, who stormed London’s dance halls with jazz, swing and Latin‑influenced rhythms before hitting the big time with Decca.

Shirley Bassey’s surprising debut - her first record was banned by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½! In Newport, Gwent, the young Benji Webbe - who'd go on to form the band Skindred - believed Shirley Bassey was practically a family member!

The heartwarming story of Denym, a family band from St Kitts, who brought reggae and soul to the valley clubs in the 1970s. Refusing to wait for a record deal, they self‑released their own songs, and created a unique style with tracks like Beauty that was boldly ahead of its time.

Feel the pulse of Cardiff’s disco boom: Tony Etoria’s Motown‑inspired smash lands him on Top of the Pops, proving success for Welsh talent was possible. How clubs and pubs like the Paddle Steamer in Butetown and Newport's Stowaway were the top venues for live music.

And Iris Williams’s breakthrough moment - how her electrifying live performance of He Was Beautiful on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio forever changed her path to stardom.

Release date:

29 minutes

On radio

Monday 18:30

Broadcasts

  • Monday 18:30
  • Next Tuesday 06:31
  • Sun 28 Sep 2025 19:00