This band’s music might be rooted in reggae and ska, but it also draws inspiration from a host of other sounds and genres that run the gamut from funk to blues, a little bit of punk and even that latino vibe. And it does so successfully, making Timpana an incredibly fun fusion. In fact, if I were asked to describe the sound of summer and good vibes I’d say that this band encapsulates it pretty neatly.
As bands go, Mana Tapu is pretty eclectic. The six-piece outfit is made up of Maltese musicians Frans Darmanin on bass and Dario Vella C on vocals and guitar, with Pupachile on vocals and lyrics; Jogy Bo on vocals, guitars and lyrics; Tete (aka Camacho Criminal) on vocals; and Andrew McGrath on drums adding the international flavour. The amount of band members is reflected in the richness of its music. Each track boasts multi-layered arrangements with some of the intros kicking off simply and escalating into a kaleidoscope of vibrant sounds soon enough.