Ta Mara & The Seen

Emerging from Prince's Minneapolis-centered funk and rock milieu of the 1980s—an environment that also spawned the Time, Morris Day, Sheila E., Jesse Johnson's Revue, Vanity 6, Apollonia 6, Mazarati and the Family—Ta Mara & the Seen achieved their primary recognition through the 1985 single "Everybody Dance." Born in Kenitra, Morocco, lead vocalist Ta Mara spent her early childhood there before relocating with her family to Minneapolis at age seven. While growing up in that city she acquired proficiency on piano, guitar and drums, later collaborating with local groups including the Doug Maynard Band and the T.C. Jammers. She subsequently assembled her own ensemble, eventually dubbed the Seen, whose lineup featured bassist Keith Woodson, guitarist Oliver Leiber, keyboardist Gina Fellicetta and drummer Jamie Chez. In the early 1980s Jesse Johnson, guitarist for the Time, took notice of Ta Mara and facilitated a recording contract with A&M; he also helmed the band's self-titled debut album, issued in 1985. Although the funky "Everybody Dance" achieved substantial success, Ta Mara & the Seen were ultimately remembered as one-hit wonders. Johnson returned to produce their 1988 A&M follow-up, Blueberry Gossip, yet the release met with commercial indifference and scant notice. After A&M dropped the act, the group disbanded in 1989, never completing a third album. Both Ta Mara & the Seen and Blueberry Gossip have since gone out of print.