FILE UNDER: New-school Reggae.
CORPORATE LINE: For three and a half years, between 1997 and 1999, Elan was the lead singer for the legendary Wailers. Night after night, in front of thousands, Elan sang the words that Bob Marley had written and popularized with–as those thousands and the Wailers themselves will testify with stunning authenticity. At first, people frequently thought he was lip-synching to Marley’s vocals; later, many, including people in Jamaica, assumed he was one of Marley’s children.
That authenticity has carried over to Elan’s Interscope debut, which features a unique combination of the young singer-songwriter’s musical influences which are heavy on the island sounds and rhythms, but also incorporate elements of classic American R&B and soul; Feli Kuti-inspired African rhythms; and even ’80s new wave pop like Depeche Mode and The Cure. It also showcases the artist’s philosophical duality, with songs that jump back and forth between strong spirituality or socio-political concerns as well as matters of the heart and libido, the difference between the sacred and the profane, so to speak. It’s the difference between “I Wanna Yell,” which he wrote about economic and other injustices he saw firsthand traveling the world, and “Feel My Pressure,” which is all about getting freaky with the opposite sex. When Elan discusses the album’s title track, he explains that being bound together as one is meant spiritually, politically and sexually.
THE GOOD:
“Nothing Is Worth Losing You” – A good white reggae singer is as unlikely as a white guy being the best rapper in the game—and yet there is Eminem. Perhaps Elan will be reggae’s equivalent of Eminem in hip-hop. Stranger things have happened.
“I Wanna Yell” – Simply a good song.
“Do Right By You” – Once you get to track nine it’s usually filler—however Elan kicks out a sexy jam.
THE AVERAGE:
“Girl” f/Assassin – Elan is better off solo even though “Girl” could be a hot single this summer.
“Allnighter” f/Gwen Stefani – This would be a good song for Gwen Stefani—not Elan. He is completely overwhelmed by her. That’s not good when it’s a song on your album.
THE BAD:
“Feel My Pressure” – Reminds me of Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” and twenty years later no one wants that.
FRANKLY: I’m not going to pretend to be a Reggae aficionado—however Elan is quite impressive. His voice isn’t deep and powerful like Shabba Ranks however he has a unique style and a very good voice. Elan isn’t creating a style and it doesn’t matter. He has skill and it’s undeniable. It’s hard not to write that Elan is white mostly because it’s so surprising. That’s a real compliment.
+ CC Morris
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