In September 2018, Mash released his third album “Closer to Home” which came at a season in Sibusiso Mash Mashloane’s career where he wants to zoom into his social and musical identity. Being born in Mpumalanga Province, surrounded by Ndebele, Pedi and Swazi people and later moving to KwaZulu Natal, he observed that each society breathes its own character: “If that character is not embraced the significance of being part of it, is lost” says Mashiloane.
All the cultures he experienced have their own transitional, cultural practices, which gives birth to new societies of mixed cultures and traditions. You can clearly hear this in his album “Closer To Home”, a culmination of all the musical dialects and the characteristics of the communities he has stayed and shared with. However, it is not a complete reflection, but a serious starting point, which he trusts to attain a better understanding and revelations through his studies and musical encounters.
Closer to Home was nominated for Best Jazz Album in the South African Music Awards 2019, won Mashiloane an award for Best Male in the Mzantsi Jazz Awards, and was nominated in the jazz categories of the SATMA and AFRIMA awards.
“The album flows towards deeper identities, breaking any moulds for specific types of jazz that have developed from past masters. Mashiloane holds truth with his chordal harmonic fifths, so prominent in the musical landscape.” Carol Martin – All Jazz Radio
