Label Guide: Chisa

Chisa Records was founded and owned by South African musician Hugh Masekela in 1965. He released his album 'Emancipation' as the first, independently distributed Chisa LP, before he signed a recording contract with Uni, and associated Chisa with his new label for the time of this contract. Between 1966 and 1968, Chisa Records was distributed by Uni and the standard Uni label was used for its releases with a Chisa logo and 'Chisa Productions' text printed left of the center hole.

Distribution was briefly moved Vault and Blue Thumb in 1968, then to Motown Records from 1969 to 1972, and the original Chisa label design was used again. And the final distribution deal for Chisa was with Blue Thumb Records from 1972 to 1974, when a variation of the Blue Thumb label was used, with the Chisa logo messily superimposed on the thumb print.