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..Masala
‘Settlement Above Any Borders’

In 2002 Polish journalist, writer and traveller Max Cegielski gathered a group of friends to found an ‘oriental’ DJ collective Masala Soundsystem (Masala = mixture). Their idea in terms of music was to present a thrilling selection of folk-soaked party tracks from various parts of the world, which are totally omitted by ‘mainstream’ media. Their idea in terms of philosophy was to show that cultural differences between nations and races don't have to be the source of conflicts - they may be a basis for a fascinating musical dialogue led in the area of music and common joy.
In following years many instrumentalists, vocalists, MC's, turntablists and DJ's from various parts of Polish and international musical scene came across the ranks of Masala. Apart from being a soundsystem, the collective became a band, which published its four author releases full of original, eclectic music.

How can we shortly describe Masala’s sound? It’s a collision of traditional 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 conscious, contemporary urban poetry thrown onto the beats by an MC. Masala gathered the masters of various musical genres and techniques, who seemed very unlikely to come together, however it turned out that they are more than able to co-operate in perfect harmony to create thrilling, extraordinary music of its own kind... There is no other band bringing such an insane plan into life. From reflection and melancholia of dub to the crazy energy of folk-influenced electro, dancehall and drum’n’bass, from North to South, from East to West, from the past to the future, from Tarnobrzeg to Bangladesh. We bring it all together! Total Masala!

Information on the latest release:

‘Caly Ten Swiat / All That World’ is the title of new Masala LP, which release date is set on 03.10.2008. The group was working on the album since early 2006. As a result of this work, we get an explosive combination of 13 tracks of various musical genres, which base on the common denominator consisting of synth-based beats, oriental instruments, conscious MC’ing and a pinch of turntablism. The main idea behind the music is to move both the bodies and the minds of the listeners.

In terms of music, the album is representative for Masala’s eclectic electro-etno-dancehall-rap-punk style. Lyrical side of the album may be described as a collection of reflections concerning the world around us and the set of rules it seems to follow.

500 parties and concerts played as Masala and Masala Soundsystem nationwide and abroad since the foundation of the collective in 2003, including taking part in significant events such as:

- ‘Terra Polska Festival’ / Berlin / 2006
- ‘Multi Kulti Festival’ / Berlin / 2006
-  Festiwal “Miasto Warszawa’ / Budapeszt / 2007
- “Fusion Festival’ / Dorf-Mecklemburg / 2007
- ‘Heineken Open’er’ Festiwal 2006 / Gdansk / 2006
- ‘Colours of Ostrava’ / Ostrava / 2007
- ‘XIII Przystanek Woodstock’ / Kostrzyn n. Odra / 2007
- ‘Era Nowe Horyzonty’ / Wroclaw / 2007
- ‘Wroclaw Non Stop’ / Wroclaw / 2007
- One Love Festival / Wroclaw / 2007
- Wroc Love Exclusive Stage / Wroclaw / 2008
- ‘Heineken Open’er’ Festiwal 2008 / Gdansk / 2008
- ‘One Love Festival / Wroclaw / 2008
- ‘Festiwal Niemego Kina / Warszawa / 2008
- ‘Heineken Open’er’ Festiwal 2008 / Gdansk / 2008

- Title of ‘Anti Fascist of the Year 2004’ given to Masala Soundsystem for its activity by the anti-fascist and anti-racist organization “Never Again’