First Listen: Hil St. Soul makes an Ohio Players classic her own

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    (January 11, 2021) Since her breakout album Soul Organic two decades ago, Hilary Mwelwa, the voice that is Hil St. Soul, has been a source of joy on the adult soul music scene. “When I’m creating music my ultimate goal is to create something that people will connect with and be touched by. There’s so much negativity in the world so I desire to do my bit to bring some positivity and light into it.”

    Hilary had a big hit last year with “One Life,” and now she returns on Shanachie Entertainment with an exquisite new version of a deep gem from Ohio Players’ 1974 album Skin Tight. “Heaven Must Be Like This” has been recreated by other artists over the years, most notably by D’Angelo in the 1998 film, Down To the Delta. But there is definitely room for Hil St. Soul's intrepretation, which freshly draws on elements of R&B, jazz and even a bit of island.

    (January 11, 2021) Since her breakout album Soul Organic two decades ago, Hilary Mwelwa, the voice that is Hil St. Soul, has been a source of joy on the adult soul music scene. “When I’m creating music my ultimate goal is to create something that people will connect with and be touched by. There’s so much negativity in the world so I desire to do my bit to bring some positivity and light into it.”

    Hilary had a big hit last year with “One Life,” and now she returns on Shanachie Entertainment with an exquisite new version of a deep gem from Ohio Players’ 1974 album Skin Tight. “Heaven Must Be Like This” has been recreated by other artists over the years, most notably by D’Angelo in the 1998 film, Down To the Delta. But there is definitely room for Hil St. Soul's intrepretation, which freshly draws on elements of R&B, jazz and even a bit of island.

    She tells us, “I listened to the original version by the Ohio players for inspiration. After hearing the producer Prince Damons' version, I was hooked and just had to add my own twist and spin on it. I hope when people hear ‘Heaven Must Be Like This,’ it will allow them to go on a euphoric journey with me and switch off from the world’s troubles, even if it’s for a few minutes. To quote the lyrics of the first verse of the song, I hope the listener finds ‘a place of happiness’ and ‘somewhere to rest their aching mind.’”

    Well, it sure worked for us. Check out “Heaven Must Be Like This” below, and welcome the always wonderful Hil St. Soul back to SoulTracks.

    Hil St. Soul
    "Heaven Must Be Like This"