Derrick Dunn

Second Listen Sunday: Sean Garrett, “Turbo 919”

Music producers transitioning to a solo album is common in the music industry. For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit Sean Garrett’s solo debut, “Turbo 919,” released in 2008.

Sean “The Pen” Garrett was already a household name among music insiders, with a résumé that read like a chart history: Usher’s “Yeah!”, Destiny’s Child’s “Lose My Breath”, Jamie Foxx’s “DJ Play a Love Song” demonstrated that hit-making ability ran through Sean “The Pen” Garrett’s DNA.

“What You Doin’ With That” opens the album with a jolt. It unfolds like a fever dream, leaving listeners disoriented and moody before pulling them into a dark groove packed with synth sounds. The initial eerie vibe transforms into an energizing electronic jam featuring captivating melodies over striking beats. This track serves as an ideal showcase of Turbo 919’s unconventional vigor.

Garrett doesn’t just stick to one lane. He demonstrates versatility by seamlessly transitioning between high-energy club hits and emotional slow songs, establishing his reputation as the preferred artist for foremost R&B industry leaders. The duet “Come On In” between Garrett and Akon delivers sentimental smoothness, creating a mellow Donell Jones-like atmosphere filled with heartfelt intimacy and nostalgia.

Fans looking for stronger beats will find their perfect match in the lead single “Grippin’,” which features Ludacris and delivers boldness and rhythm. This track demonstrates a superior approach to crafting magnetic, mellow sounds. Though his vocals aren’t powerhouse, Garett uses his soft and whiny tone to his advantage against the album cover’s rugged design.

Thankfully, “Turbo 919” isn’t just soft-focus crooning. The track “Why” presents aggressive guitar solos that approach rock genre characteristics, whereas “One Day” delivers traditional ballad elements with rich harmonies that evoke nighttime feelings.

Musical fans seeking relaxed yet brilliant tunes will find that “Lay Up Under Me” delivers a cool mid-tempo vibe. “On The Hood” offers a cinematic and dreamlike quality, while “Patron” successfully combines breezy tones with bittersweet elements to create a lasting love and longing anthem.

Despite its commercial obscurity, Garrett’s debut album showcases bold ambition and melodic richness, positioning him among successful songwriters who became artists like The Dream and Ne-Yo.

Final Grade: B

“Turbo 919” is available on all streaming platforms.

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Second Listen Sunday : Akon, Konvicted

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Since my wife’s favorite solo artist, Ne-Yo, is currently on tour, I decided to show some love to Akon this week for Second Listen Sunday by focusing on his second album, “Konvicted.” I first discovered Akon in the fall of 2004 when I made my DJ debut while stationed in the UK. During my warm-up set, I played “Locked Up,” and one of the bouncers came over, handed me a pound, and said it was about time someone played that song.

Slow Jam Saturday : Ne-Yo, Queen

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Second Listen Sunday : Eric Bellinger, “New Light : Acoustics”

July 12, 2026

I’ve always been a fan of Eric Bellinger. My admiration stems not only from the records he has released under his own name but also from the impressive career he built behind the scenes. Long before casual R&B listeners recognized his face, they were already familiar with his songwriting through tracks he penned for artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, and Wale.