Biography
Swamp Children rank among the lesser-known acts tied to the U.K.'s storied Factory Records, largely owing to what followed their debut album: the group promptly adopted the name Kalima and went on to issue numerous further releases. The lineup first formed in early 1980 as a six-piece featuring vocalist Ann Quigley, sax-and-bass specialist Tony Quigley, keyboardist-and-bassist Ceri Evans, guitarist John Kirkham, saxophonist Cliff Saffer, and drummer Martin Moscrop, who simultaneously served in A Certain Ratio. Pursuing a fusion of funk, jazz, and bossa nova, the ensemble performed frequently enough to attract Factory's interest, which led to the October 1981 release of their debut single "Little Voices." Early the next year Factory Benelux put out the follow-up "Taste What's Rhythm," helping the band reach the ears of sympathetic DJs and writers who began circulating word within Britain's emerging acid jazz community. Their sole album, So Hot, emerged from a ten-day recording session in August 1982; although initially slated for Factory Benelux, Manchester legend Rob Gretton arranged its domestic issue on Factory itself, yielding a restrained yet engaging set that reflected the group's distinctive blend of influences. Seeking a modest distance from their earlier identity—chiefly because the youthful members no longer identified with the word "children"—they soon rebranded as Kalima while maintaining the same musical approach.