Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Bit of a mouthful when it comes to a name and I used to love using the full title on the radio but very soon, these guys shortened it to The Inspirational Choir! There was a short period of time in the early '80s when it looked like British gospel music might make it into the mainstream. Paradise were doing their funky thing on the outskirts of the top 40 while LCGC's debut single "Fill My Cup" was released on Island. These Londoners led by a young John Francis (before he was a bishop) were right in there, signing with the legendary Stiff Records for this debut single. They had made a name for themselves singing on the Madness hit single "Wings Of A Dove", a move which wasn't embraced by all sections of the Church. 'Clean Heart' was a 12" EP which featured the choir's debut single "Pick Me Up" and four other tracks and was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley whose credits at the time included albums for Madness, Dexys and Elvis Costello. Highlights include a rousing version of the old gospel evergreen "Do Not Pass Me By" and I've always liked the soulfulness of the ballad "Pick Me Up".

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