80's
vocal trio known for their ballads and the number one hit, The
first time had one of its first charting records as artists signed
to dance music pioneer Salsoul Records. Falling in love, co-written
by Surface member David Conley, doesn't have much more in common
other than the group name and a (presumably) Conley flute solo.
Singer Bernard Jackson who grew up in Stamford, CT got into the
music business through his cousin who lived in New York. He moved
to NY and began performing around the city. While doing a show
in Stamford, his godfather suggested that he contact his nephew
David Townsend who was also in the music business. Townsend was
a former touring guitarist for The Isley Brothers. Around 1973,
Townsend joined a band called The Port Authority where he met
David Conley. Townsend began writing songs with Conley. After
Townsend and Conley met Jackson it was decided that they'd write
songs together. The trio became staff writers for EMI Music and
changed their name into Surface and moved to Los Angeles. An EMI
Music executive brought one of their songs, Let's try again to
the attention of Larkin Arnold of Columbia Records. He signed
the group to Columbia. The debut album Surface included the smooth
and sweet Happy. The next LP, 2nd Wave contained I missed. Jackson
brought the sheet music to a song he had written in 1986 to his
friend, songwriter Brian Simpson who had a recording studio in
his garage. After listening to the finished demo tape, Jackson
thought that he had a hit. Hiring a mobile 24-track recording
studio truck to capture his vocals in the best professional conditions,
Jackson sang The first time in Simpson's house it would be the
first release from Surface's 3 Deep album and went #1 early
1991 and while the single was topping the charts, Surface were one
of the presenters at the American Music Awards. The group's last
charting single was A nice time for loving, early 1992 included
on their 1991 greatest hits LP, The Best Surface:A Nice Time for
Loving. Conley and Townsend also produced sides on Rebbie
Jackson. Danceclassic.com was sadley informed that David Towsend
passed away on October 29 2005 at the age of 50.
.gif "Surface - Happy (12 inch) 1987")
