Recording History

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This new history of twentieth-century North Africa highlights the musicians who shaped an era and the vibrant recording industry that disseminated their sounds from the colonial period through decolonization. While stories of Jews and Muslims in North Africa are often told separately, this work reveals the unifying force of Arab music. For decades, thousands of phonograph records crossed borders, largely influenced by Jewish musicians who articulated the changing world around them. Their popular songs, broadcast on radio and performed in concerts, captivated audiences and stirred national sentiments, often challenging French colonial authorities. Christopher Silver provides the first comprehensive history of the music scene and recording industry in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, offering insights into Jewish-Muslim relations through the rhythms that connected them. He traces the journeys of hit-makers and their records, illuminating both regional and transnational ties. By exploring what North Africa once sounded like, Silver recovers a rich tapestry of voices, including pioneering impresarios, bold female stars, cantors turned composers, and national icons, whose music continues to resonate today.