MUFASSA has returned with a fresh version of “Setting Sun”, bringing Tess Fapani into the fold for a warm reggae-soul collaboration built for golden-hour listening.

The new version of “Setting Sun” pairs Dale Mallett’s laid-back coastal reggae sound with Fapani’s soulful vocals, giving the track a softer, more emotional lift.

The song was originally written as a heartfelt love song inspired by Mallett’s partner and the mother of his children. With Fapani now joining the track, “Setting Sun” moves further into duet territory, leaning into warm harmonies, slow-drive rhythm and sundown energy.

MUFASSA has been steadily releasing a swag of new tunes, including “Feed the Fire” and “Kangaroo”, with both tracks pointing to a strong new direction for the Nambour-raised artist’s reggae-rooted songwriting.

Listen to “Sun Setting” with MUFASSA Music and featuring Tess Fapani

From Nambour roots to Gulf Country stories

Dale Mallett is the man behind MUFASSA Music. He is pictured with his brother and son. Photo: Supplied.

For Sunshine Coast listeners, Mallett’s story stretches well beyond one release.

The Nambour-raised artist, producer and mentor has been building a body of work that moves between reggae, roots, storytelling and community music development.

His song “Kangaroo” has become one of the strongest examples of that wider world: direct, grounded and connected to the work he has been doing with young artists in Doomadgee, in Queensland’s Gulf Country.

Through his Dreamtime Music Project, Mallett has spent the past five years working with remote Indigenous communities, facilitating songwriting, recording, mentoring and live performance pathways.

One of the key outcomes of that work has been DMC Boys, a Doomadgee band sharing Gangalidda stories, language and connection to Country through a fresh mix of Indigenous rock and reggae.

The group recently released their debut EP, “Yugurlda People”, with Mallett helping write, record and mix the project alongside Brian Goodworth from Big Rock Studios on the Sunshine Coast.

Listen to “Kangaroo” by MUFASSA MUSIC and the DMC Boys

Dreamtime Music Project continues

“Setting Sun” arrives as Mallett prepares for another Dreamtime Music Project visit to the Gulf Country, with Fapani also involved in the upcoming trip.

The project is built around culturally safe, consistent music opportunities, helping young people and emerging artists develop skills, record original songs and build creative pathways through music.

It is also part of Mallett’s wider push to help regional and remote artists turn music into something sustainable, from songwriting and studio work to live performance, content creation and project management.

Alongside the Dreamtime Music Project work, Mallett is also preparing for solo tour dates across Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia.

For now, “Setting Sun” adds another warm, easy-moving chapter to the MUFASSA catalogue, while pointing back to the broader community work sitting underneath the music.

Catch MUFASSA on the road when he performs across Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia in June/July. For more information and to keep up to date: https://mufassamusic.com/.