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
Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.
Vocal quartet A Few Good Man contributed two songs to the project: a cover of “Silver Bells” and the ballad “Merry Christmas My Dear,” both of which were produced by Daryl Simmons. Demail Burks, David Morris, Aaron Hilliard, and Tony Amey were the members of the group, and after introducing themselves in the festive video for “Silver Bells,” it was only fitting that they delivered a ballad on the album.
R&B legend Luther Vandross had already solidified his place in R&B when he released his first holiday album, “This Is Christmas. Arriving in stores on October 24, 1995, “This Is Christmas” validates Vandross’s ability to sing anything.
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