In late 2002 famous Polish journalist, writer & traveler Max Cegielski gathered a group of friends to form an ‘oriental’ DJ collective named MASALA SOUNDSYSTEM (masala = mixture). Their main idea in terms of music was to present a thrilling selection of folk-soaked party tracks from various parts of the world, totally omitted by the ‘mainstream’ media. Their main idea in terms of philosophy was to show that cultural differences between nations and races don't have to be a source of conflicts - they can form basis for a fascinating musical dialogue led in the area of music and common joy instead. And guess what? IT WORKED! :)

In the following years, numerous DJ’s, instrumentalists, vocalists, MC’s, VJ's and dancers from various parts of Polish and international musical scene came across the ranks of MASALA SOUNDSYSTEM. Apart from being a sound system, the collective has become a regular band, releasing 3 LP’s and 3 EP’s full of original, eclectic music (3 new albums are in advanced production at the moment). Since its beginning, MASALA also received heavy praise from the fans for putting lots of heart into their energetic live performances. As a result, since 2003 the collective played well over 500 parties and concerts, including gigs at the largest and most prestigious Polish festivals (Heineken Open'er, Przystanek Woodstock, etc.) and well-received foreign gigs in Cross Club (Prague, Czech Republic), Colours of Ostrava Festival (Ostrava, Czech Republic), My City: Warsaw Festival (Berlin, Germany), Multi-Kulti Festival (Berlin, Germany), Fusion Festival (Dorf-Mecklemburg, Germany), A38 (Budapest, Hungary), KUD France Preseren (Ljubljana, Slovenia), My City: Warsaw Festival (Budapest, Hungary), Polenmarkt Festival (Griefswald, Germany), Palace Akropolis (Prague, Czech Republic), Sanskriti Festival (New Delhi, India), Olive Club (New Delhi, India), Sound Central Festival (Kabul, Afghanistan), 18+ Festival (Cluj-Napoca, Romania), Rockoupani Festival (Policka, Czech Republic), Kokopelli World Festival (Kortrijk, Belgium) and many more...

MASALA SOUNDSYSTEM records had an impressive impact both on national and international media. It's hit single 'Od Tarnobrzegu Po Bangladesz' released in 2004 was played on heavy rotation in numerous musical televisions and radios around Poland. Similarly, the single tracks released in following years always caught media attention. The band also played two live concerts in Polish Radio Channel Three ('Trójka'), which is one of the most popular radio stations in Poland. Out of Poland, Masala tracks were played Multi-Kulti Radio based in Berlin and by legendary radio DJ's of BBC Asia and BBC1 - Bobby Friction & DJ Nihal. Bobby Friction made an interview with the members of Masala in BBC Asia after the release of 'Cały Ten Świat' album in 2008. 'As One (Tom Encore Remix)' of 'Inny Świat' remix album was a power play of DJ Nihal's BBC1 show in early 2011. It was also included in a podcast mixed by legendary Glasgow-based punjabi collective Tigerstyle.

How can Masala’s sound can be described shortly? It’s a clash of traditional, oriental string instruments with the modern sounds of turntablism and synths. A confrontation of the oriental drums like darabuka or dhol with drum synths or beatbox. A meeting of throat singing from Tuva with contemporary conscious urban poetry rhymed or sung by an MC. Masala gathers masters of various musical genres and techniques, who seemed very unlikely to come together. However the final result proves that they are more than able to co-operate in a perfect harmony to create something extraordinary. There is no other band bringing such an insane plan into life. From dub melancholy to the crazy energy of electro, dancehall, breakbeat and drum’n’bass, from East to West, from the past to the future, from Tarnobrzeg to Bangladesh. Total Masala!

Since 2011 parties played by members of Masala are named MOLOTOV COCKTAIL PARTY, so no one will mistake them with MASALA SOUNDSYSTEM concerts.

Since 2004, monthly MASALA SOUNDSYSTEM dj sets / MOLOTOV COCKTAIL PARTIES took place in numerous in popular Polish clubs like Punkt (Warsaw, 2002 - 2007), Jadłodajnia Filozoficzna (Warsaw, 2008 - 2009), Nowy Wspaniały Świat (Warsaw, 2010), Chwila (Warsaw, 2011 - ?) or Prozak (Cracow, 2003 - 2009). They were also performed at popular parties abroad, like DJ Click's World Zone Party at Alimentetion Generale (Paris, France), Sputnik Kollektiv's Klubb Katushka (Uppsala, Sweden), My City: Warsaw Festival (Berlin, Germany), Palais des Sciences' Antitapas Night (Brussels, Belgium), Kokopelli World Festival (Kortrijk, Belgium) - and many more!

What may you expect entering MOLOTOV COCKTAIL PARTY played by members of MASALA SOUNDSYSTEM? Balkan Beats, Klezmer Hip-Hop, Tropical Bass, Moombahton, Tecnobrega, Baile Funk, Eastern Ska, Global Underground, Shanson, Mestizo, World Music, Gypsy Punk, Kuduro, Bhangra, Bollywood & more! Musical selection flows from Balkans thru Maghreb to Punjab & Bollywood, making some wild jumps to Izrael, Hungary, Brazil, Ukraine, Romania, Angola, Colombia and hundreds of other places, where people make music-to-dance-to inspired by local folklore. MOLOTOV COCKTAIL PARTY are DJ's that guarantee perfect selection and smooth mix of various kinds of World Music, MC's rising the heat on the dancefloor by controlling the mic in a proper way, *master musicians playing all kinds of oriental instruments, *oriental dance performances and *mind-blowing visuals [* = optional]. If you want it - we got it all - and much more! Check yourself - come to the club where we play and catch the fire started by MOLOTOV COCKTAIL PARTY! ;)