Elan - Together As One Review
by Zane Ewton
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L.A. bred Elan caught the ear of some important members of the Wailers on his rise through the local music scene. His voice was similar enough to the legendary Bob Marley that the Wailers recruited him to be their new vocalist.
Elan broke from the Wailers in 2000 to focus on a solo career. A few miss-starts led to his official debut album, Together as One.
No Doubt's Tony Kanal helped out on several songs and with production duties. He even called in a favor with Gwen Stefani to appear on the track "Allnighter".
The songs bounce between dancehall, R & B, old school reggae and everything in between. Elan's voice can be hauntingly close to Bob Marley's on songs like "Kingston Girl". For the most part any similarities don't weigh the album down and Elan stands as an artist in his own right.
The record feels like two different records smashed into one. The plaintive and beautiful "Together as One" could stand up next to many of Marley and the Wailers iconic songs. Then the dance track "Feel My Pressure" is full of glad-handed posing and forgettable lyrics.
Every track feels genuine enough to not be any stab at that quick club track hit, but Elan's strengths and weaknesses are on full display. He's better taking the song for himself as the duets with some guests break the flow.
By the end with "We Won't Stand for This" you will have strolled through all the current hip genres but Elan leaves an impression. Playing to his strengths he could be reggaes next big star.
CD Info and Links
Elan - Together As One Label:Interscope Records (USA)
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