Baby Namboos

Baby Namboos formed in Manchester in 1989 around vocalist Paul Torday, guitarist Mike Edwards, bassist Dave Wilson, and drummer Nick Coutts. Their name came from Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, who was called 'Baby Namboos' when displayed at a Manchester wax museum. They put out three albums between 1992 and 1997, starting with their self-titled debut.

Their sound pulled from funk and soul, with some African rhythms in the mix. The track 'Ancoats 2 Zambia' from that first record became a local favorite in Manchester's indie circles. The song looked at the lives of African immigrants in the city's Ancoats area.

While they earned some critical notice, the band never broke through to a wider audience. Their lyrics often touched on social issues, which sometimes drew criticism. They stopped putting out music after the late 1990s.