The recordings on this page are archivist selections from over 3,500 shellac and vinyl records preserved by the National Archives of Singapore. These are rare sound recordings that trace the development of the recording industry in Singapore - an important regional centre for recording music from the 1900s to the early 1980s. Recording companies used the island as their base and performers from surrounding countries were drawn to Singapore, bringing with them an amazing mix of musical styles, languages and cultural traditions that were enjoyed by the diverse local population.

The recordings you will be treated to range from the very first commercial recordings produced locally in 1903, to recordings made in late 1941 but were never commercially released due to the onset of World War II. Listen to early folk songs, orchestral pieces, Malay dramas, Chinese operas in different dialects, and many more. A digitised recording from this priceless selection was streamed every week throughout 2017.