Soulidified

Hil St. Soul | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 18, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B000EMGA9Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,323 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'SOULidified' Lives Up To The Name With Hil St. Soul's Best CD To Date!!!, May 7, 2006

By 

Charles L. Hubbert "of Urban-Reviews.com" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soulidified (Audio CD)

Hil St. Soul is definitely a duo that you should know by now. Any way you look at it, Hil St. Soul possesses some of the best material that any R&B composer would relish at having. After discovering a song from their first album Soul Organic purely by accident in 2001, I was hooked from that moment to the smoothed-out sound that was lacking in R&B music at the time. The songs from that album were more suitable for a smooth jazz station than the traditional mainstream R&B stations. Then the British collective put out Copasetik and Cool in 2004, lacing in a few mid-tempo tracks and danceable cuts. Now in 2006, Hilary Mwelwa and her musical partner Victor release SOULidified, arguably the best album to come out this year so far.

That's saying a lot, I know. But one listen and you will see, or rather hear, why this is the case. The compelling vocal range of Hilary coupled with Victor's masterful production is unrivaled to say the least. From the opening track "Hey Boy," you know Hilary means business when she says "Baby take your time / I want to feel the wave of your emotion." Following that is the mouth-watering "Sweet On You," and the laidback harmony of "It's OK." "Goodbye" is a great first single selection, reminiscent of a Faith Evans or a Kelly Price in their prime. "Betta Days" sounds good enough to have been done by Kanye West with it's old school sounding sample riding the background. "Can We Spend Some Time" borrows the melody from Eddie Kendrick's "Intimate Friends" but resorts to original lyrics rather than covering his work. "We Don't Talk" is a great choice for a second single with its rising riffs and unadulterated vocals. "2 Good To Be True" is a solid R&B tune, along with the rhyme-infused "Smokey Joint." "Baby Come Over" pairs Hilary's siren-like voice with that of up-and-coming R&B new jack Dwele for one sultry selection.

The group closes out the album strong with "One Of A Kind" and "Time For Love," two seductive cuts that will not pose any problems getting the mood right. SOULidified is a complete album through and through. Don't let your hesitation get the best of you just because you might not be familiar with any of their work. Do yourself a favor and put your order in now for a true Grammy contender for R&B Album of the year.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please don't sleep on this CD....Banging !!!, August 25, 2006

By 

C. Smith "loves music" (Washington,DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soulidified (Audio CD)

I had heard of HStS before but hadn't heard the music. Wow what a treat ! This is so soulful and the lyrics are saying something - in fact I've said some of the same things.

The beats are strong but mellow and it's just a groovethang baby !

Perfect soundtrack for that someone special or someone you want to get to know a litlle bit better...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Songstress, July 10, 2006

By 

Whybesane (South Jordan, Utah) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Soulidified (Audio CD)

Hil St Soul is a smooth mixture of R&B Beats with a slight Jazz influence. I have all 3 of her CDs and enjoy all of them. I hope to see and hear her in concert soon when she comes to the States (hopefully soon)

Her song and style are a welcome breath of fresh air in an industry that is filled with artist who have no talent, can't sing and are just a pretty face.

Hil St. Soul is beautiful on the inside and outside and her music will move you.