Hil St. Soul ... The Best Of ...

It's pretty 'criminal' that one of the finest soul singers produced in the UK has gone so long without due recognition.  The previous post of her latest 2020 single released on Izipho Soul has prompted me to 'put that right' with a selection of some of her best output.

Hil St. (Street) Soul are a duo consisting of Hilary Mwela, who moved to UK from Zambia aged 5, and Victor  Redwood-Sawyer.  Her own website positions her between Sade and Mica Paris i.e. 'not as reclining as Sade and not as overwhelming as Mica Paris' ... 'comfortable performing classic soul, smooth jazz, uptown funk and gospel'.

Official Website
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She also released a solo album in 2011 as Hilz - Bring Back The Love.

Here' s an interview she did promoting the album:

Before we start exploring her discography here's a clip from Spike Lee show where she is performing with Terence Blanchard singing 'People In Search Of A Life' from the soundtrack from the Spike Lee film 'Clockers'.

Hil St. Soul [1999] - Soul Organic [Dome 17]

A great album, I've selected 5 of the best tracks but it could have been almost the complete album.

Strictly A Vibe Thing

Nostalgia

Modern soul dancer.

Just A Matter Of Time

Until You Come Back To Me (Non-Acoustic Version)
Cover version of the Stevie Wonder song recorded by Aretha Franklin.

For Your Love

Great bit of Neo Modern Soul.

Hil St. Soul [2002] -  Copasetik & Cool' [Gut GUTCD22]

For The Love Of You

Cover of the Isley Brothers classic taken from 2002 album 'Copasetik & Cool'.

Alright

Neo soul groover.

Pieces

Soulful neo soul ballad/stepper.

All That (+ A Bog 'O Chips) (Strings Mix)

Hil St. Soul [2006] - SOULidified [Shanachie 5758]

Another great album from which it's tricky selecting only a few tracks.  Honestly, there is not a bad track on this album and the 5 selected are just my personal favourites and on another day could be a different 5.  Check out the album.

Goodbye

Smooth neo soul ballad/stepper.

Here's a video for 'Goodbye' but sound quality not great so included clip above.

Hey Boy

Smooth and soulful neo soul stepper in the Mary J. Blige groove.

Sweet On You

Can We Spend Some Time

We Don't Talk

Showing her deeper and jazzier side.

Hil St. Soul [2008] - Black Rose [Shanachie 5772]

Smile

Another neo soul ballad/stepper.

Hanging On

Neo soul stepper sounding very like Erykah Badu on this track.

Hil St. Soul [2009] - Release [Dome CD 99]

This is essentially a Best Of album as it contains no new material.