If, like me, you have a weakness for old-school reggae, ska, and a deep love of rocksteady, you’ll feel right at home here. In today’s world, where genre labels are often thrown around rather loosely—where bands like Los Fastidios are described as rocksteady and every second high-school band with a horn section is called ska—you’ll find the real thing here: authentic ska with a strong rocksteady foundation. The album’s eleven beautifully crafted tracks are built on musical playfulness, outstanding musicianship, and a carefully constructed atmosphere. Every note reflects both a deep understanding of the genre and a genuine love for its roots. The album was produced under the supervision of Boss Capone from The Upsessions, a band that we have previously featured in an interview on our website. His name alone is a guarantee of quality.

The album’s influences and musical grounding are immediately obvious: the 1960s, traditional ska and rocksteady songwriting, and a sound untouched by many of the later developments within the genre. Royal primarily inhabits the world of ska, but the influence of rocksteady is impossible to miss. Most of the songs move at a relaxed pace, yet each one possesses its own distinct character and personality.

Among the highlights are pure ska stompers such as What A Bam Festival and Hot Like Cooking Pot, as well as ska-rocksteady gems built largely around Patsy’s vocal performance, most notably Tomorrow (I Will Be Queen). Tracks like Mahalia and Lonely Girl introduce elements of the later British sound—yes, those strings are impossible to ignore. The album leaves plenty of room for the emotion that has always been at the heart of this music, while also delivering more than enough material for the dance floor. Dusty Brown is an undeniable hit. Stylistically, it would fit perfectly on Laurel Aitken’s legendary Rudi Got Married compilation, released years ago by Grover Records. In my opinion, that compilation played a huge role in introducing generations of listeners to ska.

What I appreciate most about this album, however, is something else entirely. Stranger Cole proves beyond doubt that this approach to making music is still alive, still relevant, and still capable of producing something meaningful in 2025. When people who share the same passion and respect for the roots come together, they can create an album like this one. Traditional, yet vibrant. Old-fashioned, yet far from being a museum piece.

Patsy, meanwhile, is far more than a supporting vocalist attached to a legendary name. She stands shoulder to shoulder with Stranger Cole throughout the entire record, and their voices complement each other beautifully. Anyone who assumes this project was simply an attempt to revive an old legend with the help of a younger singer for commercial purposes would be completely mistaken. Patsy delivers a remarkable performance, and her voice is absolutely crucial to the album’s success.

Royal is a wonderful record for anyone who loves ska and rocksteady. It’s actually a little surprising that Aggrobeat Records decided to release such a traditionally minded album in 2025, because this is a record aimed squarely at genuine fans of the genre. That only makes its existence more valuable. An outstanding album and, at the same time, a beautiful reminder of the final years of Stranger Cole’s life. He clearly lived and breathed this music until his very last days, and for that we can only be grateful.