Swamp Children
| Kalima | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genres | jazz, funk, acid jazz, Latin |
| Years active | 1980–1991, 2001 |
| Labels | Factory Records, Factory Benelux, Kin |
| Associated acts | A Certain Ratio, Swing Out Sister |
| Past members | Andy Boothman, Andy Connell, Ann Quigley, Bernard Moss, Chris Manis, Cliff Saffer, David Higgins, Jeremy Kerr, John Kirkham, Martin Moscrop, Matthew Taylor, Tony Quigley, Warren Sharples |
Kalima was a Manchester-based Factory Records band who ran from 1980 to 1991 and a reformation in 2001, playing in a funk, Latin and jazz style.
The band originally formed as the Swamp Children in 1980, with a lineup of Ceri Evans (keyboards and bass), John Kirkham (guitar, formerly of Pink Military), Martin Moscrop (drums), Ann Quigley (vocals), Tony Quigley (sax and bass) and Cliff Saffer (sax). As the Swamp Children, the band released the "Little Voices" 12" on Factory in October 1981, and the "Taste What's Rhythm" 12" (September 1982) and So Hot album (October 1982, also released by Factory UK) on Factory Benelux. The album was rated 5 stars in the Virgin Books Rock Yearbook 1983 and received a strongly positive review in Melody Maker. The track "Flesh" also appeared on the Crépuscule compilation The Fruit of the Original Sin.
The band changed its name to Kalima in 1983, named after a track by Elvin Jones on his 1978 album Remembrance. That year, the band added Chris Manis (percussion), Andy Connell (piano, keyboards) and Jeremy Kerr (bass, vibes). This meant the band contained all members of A Certain Ratio except Donald Johnson. Tony Quigley also joined A Certain Ratio at the beginning of 1985. Kalima released their first recording, "Fly Away/The Smiling Hour", in January 1984 on Factory. The EP Four Songs followed in October 1985 and the album Night Time Shadows in May 1986.
Having such a large band and sharing most members with A Certain Ratio led to problems coordinating with that band's schedule and US tour. Andy Connell also achieved chart success with Swing Out Sister, so ended up leaving both bands after Kalima released the single "Whispered Words" in May 1986. Evans, Kerr and Moscrop soon followed.
The new Kalima released a single "Weird Feelings" in May 1987 with new bassist Martin Hennin. Hennin and Saffer soon left. The band then added Warren Sharples (bass), David Higgins (drums), Andy Boothman (percussion), Matthew Taylor (horns) and Bernard Moss (horns). This lineup recorded the album Kalima! at the end of 1987, released mid-1988. The band moved to London to become part of the acid jazz scene. The band released a collection Flyaway in 1989 and recorded their third album, Feeling Fine, at the end of 1989.Feeling Fine was finally released in August 1990 and did not sell well (in the liner notes of the Palatine compilation, Tony Wilson says "Never got the credit. Blame the company.") and the band went inactive.
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