Record Label: Paper + Plastick Records
Genre: Reggae / Soul
Band Link: http://obifernandez.com

Obi Fernandez of Westbound Train has created a reggae/solo album that’s worth listening if you enjoyed his other band, but also if you just love reggae & soul. Another cool fact is that he’s backed by The Expanders.

Obi has come along way from playing trombone in a ska band that played at Skater’s World every show. You can tell how much he’s matured from Day 19 to Westbound Train and now to this. Speaking of Westbound Train, Obi does a slightly different take of “Check Your Time” that’s an album highlight for me.

He’s not afraid to branch out into other styles that people aren’t used to hearing him do. At times, it feels like I’m listening to R&B (“Over”) as well. Hey, nothing wrong with a little R&B. Be great to put on when you’re getting down & funky with your lady haha. His voice is fitting for reggae, but he’s definitely got the voice for soul. A good example of that is on the track “The Color of Your Voice.” I can just picture him dancing around, singing this song on stage like James Brown. I’d love to hear Obi do a strictly soul album, something in the same vein as Mayer Hawthorne and Fitz and the Tantrums. That neo-soul stuff that’s picking up steam of late.

“Confessions, Waves and The Garden State” is one of the better albums I’ve heard this year and it’s a great album to listen to during the Summer. Sadly, Summer is ending but put this one to think of summer! There ya go, gotta stay positive.

Bottom Line: Obi needs to release more solo albums like this!
Notable Tracks: Don’t Turn Away, The Color of Your Voice, All The Time, Check Your Time
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