Westbound Train Share First Track From The Upcoming Album “Sing The Ghost Away”

Acclaimed ska and soul collective Westbound Train will release their long-awaited new album Sing the Ghost Away on November 7, 2025. The band’s most dynamic and resonant work to date, the record is a bold evolution that reaffirms their place as torchbearers of modern ska, rocksteady, and classic soul.

Produced by frontman Obi Fernandez (vocals, trombone) and drummer Eric Novod, and mixed/mastered by Tim Panella, the album was recorded at The Relic Room in New York City, pairing warm analog textures with inventive arrangements and nuanced mixing choices. The result is a confident, emotionally charged collection that feels both timeless and refreshingly new.

“Sing the Ghost Away has hands down been my favorite record to put together in the history of this band,” says Fernandez. “From picking the songs, to dreaming up the artwork, to bringing in friends we love and respect—it all came together to create something that feels true to us. This album is our way of blending the sounds we hold close—Jamaican music, American rock ’n’ roll, and R&B. We love everything from Wilco to the Wailers, and you’ll hear that in the mix. At the heart of it, our goal was simple: tell stories people can see themselves in, and give you something to sing along to, even when the world feels like it’s burning down around you.”

Standout tracks like the first single “L.M.A.,” “Keeper From the Start,” and “Slippery Slope” showcase sharpened songwriting and expanded sonic range, while a newly recorded version of “We All Need Rescue” breathes new life into a deeper cut from their 2022 release. Contributions from Anthony Abbinanti (percussion), horn players Jon Degen and Luke Panella, and arranger Mike Sarason further enrich the band’s signature sound.

“‘L.M.A.’ is a tune about self-worth,” Fernandez explains. “On the surface it leans into a relationship story, but really it’s bigger than that. We all face moments of disappointment and this song is a reminder that in those moments, the move is to self start, choose yourself—to love yourself first. We can’t wait around for validation to come to motivate us.”

Formed in 2001 at Berklee College of Music, Westbound Train has built an international following with their infectious blend of ska, rocksteady, and soul. Influenced by icons like The Skatalites, Hepcat, Otis Redding, and The Slackers, the band became a staple of the U.S. ska circuit—sharing stages on The Vans Warped Tour, Summer of Ska, Rude Cat Festival, and more, while performing alongside genre heavyweights worldwide.

Today, the lineup features Fernandez alongside Rich Graiko (trumpet), Carlos Menezes Jr. (saxophone), Gideon Blumenthal (keyboards), Alex Brumel (guitar), Alex Stern (guitar), Thad Merritt (bass), and Eric Novod (drums). Beyond the band, its members are fathers and sons, teachers and entrepreneurs, studio musicians and bandleaders—yet they remain united by a shared passion for carrying forward a distinctly soulful vision of ska and reggae.

With Sing the Ghost Away, Westbound Train prove once again why they remain a cornerstone of the modern ska and soul revival: a band deeply grounded in tradition, but always writing the next chapter.

Upcoming Shows (supporting Big D and the Kids Table):

• Oct 24 — Philadelphia, PA · Warehouse on Watts
• Oct 25 — New York, NY · The Sultan Room
• Oct 26 — Cambridge, MA · The Sinclair