Surface

Though Surface is rarely associated with disco-era dancefloors, the soft-soul vocal trio of the 1980s first reached the charts while signed to Salsoul Records, a label synonymous with dance music. Their early single “Falling in Love,” co-written by member David Conley and featuring a flute solo presumably performed by him, climbed to number 84 on the R&B chart in summer 1983 and also appeared on the U.K. pop listings, bearing little resemblance to the lush ballads that later defined the group.

Singer Bernard Jackson, who was raised in Stamford, Connecticut, entered the music industry after a cousin living in New York provided an opening. He moved to the city and began performing locally until, during a show back in Stamford, his godfather recommended contacting his nephew David Townsend, already active in the business. Townsend, who had toured as guitarist for the Isley Brothers, is the son of singer, songwriter, and producer Ed Townsend, whose own hit “For Your Love” reached the charts in summer 1958; Ed Townsend later wrote the Impressions’ “Finally Got Myself Together (I’m a Changed Man)” and co-wrote Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.”

Around 1973 Townsend joined the band Port Authority, where he met David “Pic” Conley. Drawing on songwriting counsel from his father, Townsend began collaborating with Conley, and after the pair connected with Jackson the three started writing together as a unit. They joined EMI Music’s staff, placing material with New Edition on the 1985 MCA album All for Love (“Let’s Be Friends”) and with Sister Sledge (“You’re So Fine”). Adopting the name Surface, the trio relocated to Los Angeles.

An EMI executive introduced their composition “Let’s Try Again” to Larkin Arnold, whose prior successes included work with Natalie Cole and Peabo Bryson. Arnold signed Surface to Columbia, and the track reached number 80 on the R&B chart in late 1986. The debut album Surface also contained the smooth ballad “Happy,” which peaked at number two R&B for two weeks in early 1987, along with “Lately” (number eight R&B) and a reissued “Let’s Try Again.”

The follow-up album 2nd Wave delivered “I Missed” (number three R&B), “Closer Than Friends” (number one R&B for two weeks in early 1989), the gold-certified wedding favorite “Shower Me With Your Love” (number one R&B and number five pop), “You Are My Everything” (number one R&B for two weeks), and “Can We Spend Some Time” (number five R&B). In 1986 Jackson had already written “The First Time”; he brought the sheet music to songwriter Brian Simpson, who maintained a home studio. After hearing the finished demo, Jackson recognized its potential and arranged for a mobile 24-track truck to record his vocal under optimal conditions inside Simpson’s house.

Issued as the lead single from the album 3 Deep, “The First Time” earned gold certification, topped the R&B chart, and held the number-one pop position for two weeks in early 1991. While the song dominated the airwaves, Surface appeared as presenters at the American Music Awards and received enthusiastic congratulations. Subsequent releases included “All I Want Is You” (number eight R&B, early 1991) and “Never Gonna Let You Down.” “You’re the One,” credited to Surface featuring Bernard Jackson, reached number 24 R&B in summer 1991. The group’s final charting single, “A Nice Time for Lovin’,” appeared on the 1991 greatest-hits collection The Best Surface: A Nice Time for Loving.

Conley and Townsend also produced tracks for Rebbie Jackson, including “Reaction,” later featured on The Rebbie Jackson Collection issued by the U.K. label Expansion through Sony/3MV distribution.