Westbound Train is a stellar ska/rocksteady band from Boston. They delve into soulful ska and reggae with each track. Ska is like a cringy bad word these days, as it conjures fast paced pop-punk belted out from white college kids in plaid shorts, a suit coat, and a baseball cap. The main problem I had with those groups was that they would mostly have the horns just emulate the guitar chords (and an enormous void of authenticity).
Westbound Train, named after the song by Dennis Brown, play energetic and sultry tunes for adults. They join peers with quality ska and/or rocksteady as The Slackers, Pietasters, Stubborn All-Stars, and Dr. Ring Ding. Westbound Train started in 2001 in Boston.
Sing the Ghost Away is the band’s sixth album, after being on esteemed labels such as Stubborn Music and Hellcat Records. The prior record and this have been released on Org Music. The label is known for helping release reissues (and remastered versions from original tapes and getting the bands properly paid and secure future royalties) from Descendents, Bad Brains, and Funkadelic. Other releases include LPs by artists as varied as Louis Armstrong, Mike Watt, and Infectious Grooves. Sing the Ghost Away is out now on gorgeous blood orange vinyl.
For those of us who adorned a “Boston Bluebeat” arched patch at the top of our flight’s arm, the ’90s into the early ’00s was a fantastic time. Westbound Train brought a refreshing adoration of the ’60’s sound so beloved by skins and rude boys, notably The Allstonians. But even bands like JC Superska/Spring Heeled Jack, the Bosstones, OG’s Bim Skala Bim, Big D—all with some punk in their tunes—held it down. Fans were still reveling in jazzy ska bands like Hepcat and The Articles, soul bands like Pietasters and The Adjusters (Chicago), and others such as Agent 99, Orange Street, Easy Big Fella, and Lets Go Bowling to older chaps such as The Toasters, The Busters, and The NY Citizens.
In 2025, Westbound Train have grown and still stay focused on the music in their hearts and horns. Sing the Ghost Away contains 10 exuberant tracks. The first aspect grabbing me is Obi Fernandez’ vocals, channeling King Django of Skinnerbox NYC, Stubborn All Stars, many solo records, and Stubborn Records. (WBT put their first LP out on that label).
Fernendez exudes a smooth, sage filled, soft but learned (“It’s pronounced ‘learned'” – Homer J. Simpson) vocal style. The opener, “Slippery Slope,” comes in with a head-knocking rhythm of a funky, layered beat. The horns have their own sentimental, meandering lines. An interwoven piece is present with female back-up vocals (“ohhh”), guitars who pluck and slide into a tangent of their own sporadically Alex Stern and Alex Brumel, the lush organ from Gideon Blumentha, and outstanding lyrics all converge to envelop an eager listener. The second track, “Meet Me at the Metro,” is more traditional ska with the bob in the guitar and drums. Rich Graiko graces the track with a trumpet solo. Again, the additional layers enhance the song into a mesmerizing lament. The following song is an up-beat jaunt with self-assuring lyrics. But the rest is soulful.
As the album gets ready to dive in, “Miss Reason” is a wistful, solemn piece. The rhythm switches up with “Hold the Line.” The varied layered percussion elevates the song and provides something to indulge in—think Stubborn-All Stars’ “Tired of Struggling” in both sonic seduction and spirit, Slackers’ “Henderson’s Swam,” or The Bluebeats. The second half of the record starts with “A Lonely Heart is an Open Door” with a tropical/Hawaiian vibe, led by guitars. “Like Sunset Over Water” is a pleading song drenched in some wah pedals with a solemn trumpet solo. It glides through its reggae pace creating a dream-like atmosphere.
“We All Need Rescue” is a plucky tune. “Keeper of the Heart” is lamenting about a “lonely girl” with a “loaded .45” with pouncing horns, some rumbling drums, and psychedelic guitar peppered in, and that organ under it all. Great tune. The closer is fine but a little soft for me. It’s solid; I just like the grittier tracks. Also, it is the sole track which crosses the five-minute mark.
“Sing the Ghost Away” is a stellar and sorrowful record. It brings me back to a time I cherish deeply, but also gets one excited for the present and future. If you want some damn fine ska/rocksteady/reggae, pick this up.
Buy vinyl from Org Music.
“The first vinyl pressing comes on “Blood Orange” hand pour vinyl. No two records look the same, as the colors ebb and flow throughout the run.”
Blood Orange, 500
Signed Test Pressing, 20
“L.M.A.” Dub Remix 7″ on Lathe Cut, 50
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