Composer, pianist and lecturer Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane released his fourth album titled “Amanzi Nemifula – Umkhuleko” on the 15th of January 2020.  This release coming from the Durban pianist has unfolded like a “swim against the tide” with its 3 parts release instalments of which the third and last part was released.

An earful sip in a bucket of new songs that playback a rearrangement from the previous releases, namely the debut album “Amanz’Olwandle”, “Rotha” and “Closer To Home”.  The music fluidly embodies the African indigenous metaphysics of the integral role of water in lived experiences and influences in African daily life.  Playing upstream back to the rivers of memories that are at the centre of growing up in many communities that Mashiloane comes from, in one way or another the inspiration spills into sound.

The “rivers” theme is also metaphoric to internal streams, music venues and radios as vessels that bring the substance of sound to the masses, the listeners.  It is not a secret that the way any artist interacts with their audiences and releases music has changed, Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane is in full cognizant of this fact.

The 1st instalment of this project is of acoustic nature performed by Mash trio (Sibusiso Mashiloane, drummer Riley G and bassist Dalisu Ndlazi). Sophisticated playing, basic in application, with no use of additional sound amplification and no preservatives either, just pure water.

The 2nd instalment, Izayoni The Village, is collaborative and evokes emotions of the spiritual realm, just the fuel needed in your tank.  There is an air of trance like vibrancy, with Africa spiritual tones that permeates into a spring season upbeat mood with the music.

For the final release Mashiloane added some songs that lead to the fluid spiritual connectivity from the previous two parts precipitations to a full body of awakening work with all its intensity.  The indigenous African themed soundscapes and exploration Mashiloane endeavours in through jazz reigns supreme on this album.

The new and old rearranged and reworked songs transit your system like a water cycle.  From the clouds to the mountains than rivers to the rivers to the sea juxtaposed to debuting from Amanz’Olwandle to Rotha, than Closer To Home to Umkhuleko (Amanzi Nemifula) the music workflow keeps coming.