Quincy Jones’ “Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)” featuring the multi-generational dream team of Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge and Barry White is an undisputed Quiet Storm staple that will make you, your momma and your momma’s momma feel some kind of way. The old school R&B posse cut may have only spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart at the time, but it’s got an eternal place in the heart of R&B and soul music lovers everywhere. And because it’s such a sacred song, the idea of anyone covering the track gives us pause (we're talking to you, Jermaine Dupri). However, a new dream team of artists has stepped up to show out: Omar Wilson, Sisqo, Raheem DeVaughn and Shawn Stockman.
Instead of trying to give us a pop refix, trap remake, a bounce mix (we're talking to you, Jermaine Dupri) or anything else that we don't care to hear, the fellas stay close to the original for their “Secret Garden” remake. Raheem kicks things off with Al B!'s verse before passing the mic to Omar who channels his inner James Ingram before Shawn gives us his spin on El and Sisqo takes over for Barry. Each singer brings their A-game to the track, making it their own without turning it into mimicry or a mockery.
Wilson and friends take their sensual seduction from song to the screen in a music video that brings the grown and sexy track to life. Directed by Derek Blanks, the visual is set in a lavish mansion surrounded by lush foliage. The quartet is suited, booted and gathered in a room with a grand piano in their scenes together before getting to spend some one-on-one quality time with each of their scantily-clad video vixens. The clip is what R&B fantasies are made of.
“Secret Garden” will appear on Omar Wilson’s sophomore album, Omar Wilson Sings The Classics, which will be released sometime in spring 2021.
