Reggae has a new white boy humming Jamaica patois. Elan’s debut album “Together As One” (Interscope Records) is bound to find a home among roots reggae lovers, white or black.

Unlike his Caucasian predecessors, Elan, aka Young Lion, went to the birthplace of reggae and worked with Jamaican artists and producers. Six out of11 songs were recorded in Jamaica, and Elan teamed up with dancehall heavy-hitters Assassin, Cutty Ranks, Tami Chynn and producers Tony “CD” Kelly, Steven “Lenky” Marsden and Phillip “Fatis” Burrell.

Born of Moroccan-Israeli and Native American descent, Elan at first glance isn’t fooling anybody for a reggae artist, but his vocals have made Carlos Santana do a double take.

The 29-year-old Los Angeles native is no stranger to reggae music. Elan sang for The Wailers and toured around the world from 1996 to 1999.

His album is very much Marley-esque, making one attempt of dancehall in “Feel My Pressure,” which made me feel rather sad. ‘Not another white boy going dancehall on me,’ I thought. Having said that, my guilty pleasure is Snow’s “Informer.”

Unlike Snow (who is Canadian) and Hasidic Jew Matisyahu, Elan has potential to strike a chord with longtime reggae fans. The Jamaica Gleaner called him “one of reggae’s best-kept secrets.”

Elan is on tour with already bona fide reggae artists Buju Banton, Capleton and Gregory Isaacs in the “One Love Tour.”

In his debut album Elan collaborates with No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal. Kanal, through Kingsbury Studios, orchestrated the album, bringing an array of artists including fellow No Doubter Gwen Stefani in “Allnighter.”

In Elan’s first single, “Girl,” he leaves the dancehall to Assassin, and rightfully so. The catchy tune is perhaps one of the few potential commercial successes of the album. The video has been getting play on MTVU and Caribbea-based Tempo.

“Do Right By You,” produced by Kelly will inspire you to do a sing-a-long. The style, reminiscent of Sizzla, is quintessential Kelly, who has produced Sean Paul, Shaggy, Beenie Man and DMX.

Tracks like “I Wanna Yell” and “Together As One” are definitely conscious reggae. Elan sings about economic hardships he saw first hand traveling to third-world countries. In the title track “Together as One” Elan explains that things spiritually are bound together as one.

Not the greatest songwriter, Elan is vague at best of his message. Lyrically he’s not on the same level as songwriters such as similar artists Freddie McGreggor, Burning Spear or even Mr. Marley himself. But his soulful voice is bound to garner interest and maintain him among Jamaica’s top artists.

Michael Nissman can be reached at [email protected].