London Community Gospel Choir

The London Community Gospel Choir are a successful gospel choir located in the UK.

Largely recognised as the pioneers of Gospel music in the UK, The London Community Gospel Choir was founded in 1982 by the Reverend Bazil Meade with the assistance of Lawrence Johnson, Delroy Powell and John Francis.

Initially the idea was to stage a one-off concert to promote peace as a cessation of great social discord in various black communities throughout Britain. The Toxteth Riots alongside the Brixton Riots had taken place during April - July 1981 as a response to the now infamous Sus law. The image of young black men across the UK as disruptive prompted Meade to call on pentecostal churches across the UK to unite for a concert at the Kensington Temple. The 120-strong choir concert was staged before an audience of more than a thousand and what started as a one-off event soon matured into a legacy of 25 years travelling and performing worldwide. Currently the choirs membership is some 35 members.

Meade explains: "We were formed from those who were passionate about their faith and were willing to take gospel music into venues that many churches at that time dared not enter."

The success of the evening at Kensington Temple led to enquiries for appearances in television, radio and various corporate functions across the UK and Europe. The choirs debut television performance on Channel Four's 'Black On Black' proved a resounding success and led to calls from popular artists for Musicians and Singers. This did not go down well in the black church community who accused Meade and his cohorts of courting controversy as well as pseudo-christian behaviour. Traditionalists argued against Christians working in secular environments as well as women wearing cosmetics and jewelry as such the choir cemented its reputation as Controversial, Professional, Energetic, Inspiring and Spirit-filled! - The Guardian. December 2003.

Meade comments, "The idea of an inter-denominational choir was something totally new to the church community. A few church leaders felt threatened by it. It took a while before we were able to convince them that we were not forming a new church and stealing their young people away! We knew this was a vision that God had given us and that inspired us to keep going despite the controversy which surrounded us,…"

They are often described as adaptable, flexible and dynamic melodies with rich harmonies whether they are performing as an octet or a 30-strong choir. LCGC is known for their funk-flavoured gospel flair, swing-beat, R'n'B, traditional and soulful arrangements, with invigorating choreography and vocal gymnastics.

They recorded a version of the OutKast hit "Hey Ya!" with Razorlight (the B-side to their single "Vice"), featured on Will Young's debut album, "From Now On", and sang on Blur's hit, "Tender". They also provided backing vocals on the Erasure self-titled album "Erasure" (1995) and throughout the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2005) double album Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus. They also performed in the songs "Don't Get Lost in Heaven" and "Demon Days" on the Gorillaz' Demon Days album. The choir has also recorded with Paul McCartney, Elton John, Westlife and Madonna. They gained a worldwide audience as the backing choir turned out head-to-toe in white for Madonna's Live 8 performance of her hit single Like A Prayer.

Trivia

* Nu Colors formed by Lawrence Johnson, who had a hit with 'Special Kinda Lover' in the early 90s was made up of former choir members who had originally formed under the name 'Colors Of LCGC'

* John Francis went on to be recognised worldwide as a the founder of Ruach Ministries - a non-denominational megachurch in Brixton, London - once he was ordained as a Bishop. His ministry has seen him extend into tele-evangelism on Christian channels across the USA.

* Sharlene Hector who sung 'I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free' as part of a Coca Cola ad campaign used to perform as a contralto with the choir.

* Vula Malinga who recorded "Oh My Gosh" with Grammy-Winners Basement Jaxx used to sing soprano with the choir.

* The choir recorded backing on Circle of Life as part The original motion picture soundtrack to the Lion King which went on to be nominated for The Best Original Song at the 1995 Academy Awards.

* A special branch of the choir entitled 'The Edge of LCGC' (similar to Nu Colours) released a limited-edition album entitled 'Keep Moving' as part of their yearly five night residency at the world-famous London venue The Jazz Cafe. The full version is proposed for Spring 2008.

Discography

* Fill My Cup. 1983
* Feel The Spirit. 1986
* Gospel Greats. 1990
* Hush & Listen. 1992
* Live! Inspiration & Power. 1996
* Out of Many, One Voice. 1998
* Joy To The World. 1999
* Force Behind The Power. 2001
* Negro Spirituals & Gospel Songs. 2002
* 21st Anniversary Concert. Live at Abbey Road. 2003
* Keep Moving (Limited Edition.) 2007

Current members

* Choir Prinicpal: Rev Bazil Meade
* Choir Director: Stephanie Meade
* Choir Director: Wendi Rose
* Musical Director: Ayo Oyerinde

Sopranos
* Angenita Blackwood
* Annette Bowen
* Audree Williams
* Claire Warburton
* Dionne Thomas
* Evy Lee
* Gemma Miller
* Karen Reeves-Toppin
* Kalisha Johnson
* Marcia McEachron

Altos
* Abby Ojuyah
* Adetoun Anibi
* Jenny LaTouche
* Krystal Bent
* Phillipa Bennett
* Rebecca Thomas
* Sheila Katumwa
* Sue Viner
* Zalika King

Tenors
* Bevin Sutherland
* Ennis Langdon
* Jon Rattenbury
* Lai Shin-aba
* T-Jae Cole
* Waleed Isaacs
* Simon King

Musicians
* Tony Williams - Bass
* Leonn Meade - Drums
* Michael Brown - Guitar

External links

* [http://www.lcgc.org.uk/ Choir's official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/londoncommunitygospelchoir]