Ta Mara & The Seen
Back on AM Records in 1985, Jesse Johnson broke through with a group that popped the magic of love, in imitation to some stuff from groups like The Time, Prince & The Revolution & Jesse Johnson & The Revue once conquered. Ta Mara & The Seen came in the set with a song called "Everybody Dance" & the room started shaking. However, after getting a dose of "Affecttion" from a radio chirp, I wanted to know, "Who Was THAT?".
I holla'd at my buddies on the AF base where I was stationed at, called up family members, called into radio stations (they hardly picked up the line - the phone lines were jammed back then with requests & dedications). For a split second, I thought it was either Vanity 6 or Appolonia 6 (Marv, Those ladies were fine man!). I had their records, but "Affecttion" wasn't on it. It was after I bought the album (of 'the seen) that my discovery came to light.
This album grooved the hot spot & was very well compared to any and all The Time recordings, mostly because Jesse Johnson had something to do with it. The image was Minneapolis conscious if you ever had the chance to check out their garments, wardrobe on the front cover album. The hair style - Mullets - were evident in full perm. Even the use of makeup on men was part of the style although I couldn't get into putting on some blush on my face back in the 80's. It was cool to do that I suppose, along with long earrings & eyeliners.
It didn't matter to me, as long as they came with harmony, melody, rhythm & beats. That's exactly what they did. Much guitar driven compositions almost making you feel as if Prince was kicking it somewhere in the studio during the making.
This album is hard to find & I was able to snatch this from a good friend of mine for the review. I don't know if he is going to get his copy back (I don't know brother Bill). How many of you have loaned out a cassette or LP to a friend & you never saw it come back to you? Came up missing huh? They simply didn't bring it back because the music was too good to give it back. Sad huh, but true.
Tamara & The Seen (Keith Woodson, Gina Fellicetta, Jamie Chez, & Oliver Leiber) gave up 8 songs for the album. The tracks that jammed the best, "Everybody Dance", "Affection", "Summertime Love", "Got To Have You" & "Thinking About You" were infectious. So was "Long Cold Nights". Given the nature they had few songs on this record, these were enough. It was practical enough to pay $5.99 for it at the BX.
I would say get the record, but unfortunately, its not available anymore. Good Luck. Maybe they'll re-release it. It's a collectible.
Charles F. Sherard
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 3/22/2009 11:20 AM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos
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