If not for the patronage and foresight of the time tested players on the American Ska scene, the past and present of Westbound Train might in fact be drastically different. If not for the patronage and foresight of the time tested players on the American Ska scene, the past and present of Westbound Train might in fact be drastically different.

Coming together in 2001 and taking their name from a classic Gregory Isaacs track, the band waited two years before issuing their first full length, Searching For a Melody. That disc showcased a talented band still trying to figure out how to work with one another. And while that may have presented a difficult enough task, the fact that Westbound Train can’t decide what era of Jamaican music to hi-jack, that disc made for a scattered listening experience. There were obvious enough talents being displayed though the band to be selected to appear on the Hellcat Records compilation Give’Em the Boot IV.

Releasing another disc before arriving at Transitions for the Hellcat label allowed Westbound Train to not only tour rather extensively, but also to gain the support of the Slackers, King Django as well as members of Hepcat. Maybe because of these connections, but also tied to ever growing maturity, the bands third effort was easily its strongest to date. There were a few tracks that amounted to not much more than filler, but that, to a certain extent, is expected on any disc. The high points – like “Sorry Mama” – easily made up for any missteps.

Again taking time to tour and rack up supporters, the fellas in Westbound Train took to stages across the US and Europe with every worthwhile name on the Hellcat roster. Their fluid, laid back and honest music obviously ingratiated the band to not only fans, but label mates.

It’s been two years since the release of Transitions and this new disc is past due for some fans – myself included. Come and Get It, also to be released by Hellcat, is due out April 21^st. Yup, it’s a day late for what you’re thinking, but we’ll survive.

For this new disc the band seeks to continue it’s sometimes erratic take on Jamaican musical traditions. However, this new disc was helmed by Slackers sax player and stolid elder statesman, Dave Hillyard. Somehow between touring and recording with the most popular ska band in the world, leading the Rocksteady Seven and caring for his family, Hillyard found time to record Westbound Train over two weeks in a Brooklyn studio.

Thus far, Hellcat has given listeners “Check Your Time” as a preview. You can cop it HERE. The song, a lamentation on drinking and passing the time while thinking about a woman, does sound like the crew at full reggae tilt. Nothing, even the break, ends up ahead of the beat. And while some of the background vocals seem a bit extraneous, the vocals of Obi Fernandez are as soulful and heart felt as ever. Hillyard doesn’t play on these tracks, but in the voicing of the keyboard, it would seem as if a bit of the Slackers bouncy style has snuck in to the Westbound Train sound.

With the boys headed on the road this summer as a part of the Warped Tour, there are scant available dates prior for them to do any touring. A number of East Coast dates have been set thus far, with a few coming taking the band into Minnesota and Illinois. But again, if they aren’t coming through your town during the spring, just wait until summer. They’ll be there.