One of the most iconic R&B songs of all time, “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)” receives a 2020 cover version. The original version was from Quincy Jones’s Back On The Black album and featured American R&B singers Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge, and Barry White. The 2020 version is the lead single from up & coming singer Omar Wilson’s album Omar Wilson Sings the Classics. Wilson enlists vocalists Sisqó, Shawn Stockman & Raheem DeVaughn for his version.
Unlike Jermaine Dupri’s horrid 2010 remix version which featured Usher, Robin Thicke, Tyrese LL Cool J ,Tevin Campbell & Barry White, the newest version brings it’s modern day flavor to the song. Each of the singers pays homage to the original singer’s verse they are singing with Shawn Stockman standing out.
In a time when folks think R&B is dead, Omar Wilson, Sisqó, Shawn Stockman & Raheem DeVaughn give us a glimmer of hope with their version of, “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)”.
Final Grade B+
“The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)” is available on all streaming platforms.
Audio Visual Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JVgVrR8JA4&list=RD7JVgVrR8JA4&start_radio=1
Nineties R&B was home to many female groups, so standing out took more than good looks and a major industry endorsement. I still remember seeing Allure in a Vibe ad and thinking how gorgeous those four women were. The question was whether they had the talent to compete in the music scene.
In 1996, I first heard the Houston quartet Ideal on the Original Gangsters soundtrack. Their interpretation of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues,” featuring the Chi-Lites, caught my attention.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
Reviews And Dunn is a unique blog showcasing all things cinema, music & theater.