The 80’s soft soul vocal trio SURFACE known for such lush ballads as “Closer Than Friends” and the million-selling singles “Shower Me With Your Love” and the #1 pop hit “The First Time” have reunited and are back in the recording studio working on a new album set for release later this summer.
The group SURFACE consists of all three original members - Bernard Jackson, David Conley and David Townsend. The group is preparing to embark on their first world tour in over a decade.
SURFACE’S Lead Singer/Songwriter/Producer BERNARD JACKSON who’s captivating and distinctive voice behind all of the great songs by the group has been busy recording, writing and producing his own solo efforts and has released three albums since 1997. His first solo outing CD simply titled, “Bernard Jackson” was released in 1997 to rave reviews by the music magazines and fans from all over the world. Jackson’s highly acclaimed second solo CD “Remember” was released in 2000. The much anticipated CD “What’s My Name” released in November 2003 was received with positive reviews throughout the world. Bernard Jackson has penned numerous chart topping hit songs for numerous acts including Sister Sledge, New Edition, The Jets, Rebbie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Jennifer Holliday, and the late Gwen Guthrie. He has made vocal guest appearances on jazz great Stanley Clarke’s album “Hideaway” and Wayman Tisdale’s newly released album “Face To Face”.
SURFACE member vocalist/songwriter/producer/instrumentalist DAVID “PIC” CONLEY has been busy producing, arranging and writing songs for many artists throughout the industry. Over the past decade he produced a song for the legendary Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin from her 1991 album release “What You See Is What You Sweat”. David also was responsible for the #1 1989 R/B smash “Don’t Take It Personal” by Jermaine Jackson whom he shared writing credit with fellow group member David Townsend. Over the past two decades he has worked with various artists including Stanley Jordan, Howard Hewett, O Town, Tyrese and Victoria Beckman AKA “Posh Spice” from the Spice Girls. The new single from Beckman is currently #3 on the UK charts.
SURFACE member vocalist/writer/producer DAVID TOWNSEND, who’s the son of the late legendary singer/songwriter/producer Ed Townsend who was responsible for co-writing “Let’s Get It On” by the late great Marvin Gaye and who had his own solo hit “For Your Love” back in 1958 followed his father’s footsteps and has wrote, produced, and performed with numerous artists over the past three decades. These artists include The Isley Brothers, Sister Sledge, New Edition, Rebbie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and the legendary Aretha Franklin.
The dynamic million-selling group SURFACE has charted numerous times on the Billboard Magazine Pop and R/B charts over the past two decades.
In 1987, the group’s self-entitled album peaked at #11 on the Billboard R/B Album chart which also spawned two top ten R/B singles, “Happy” and “Lately” and a top 25 R/B single “Let’s Try Again”.
The group’s follow-up sophomore album “2nd Wave” which was released in 1989 was an instant smash and was certified platinum. The album peaked on the top of the R/B album charts at #5. The album released five singles, three of which went #1 on the R/B charts “You Are My Everything” featuring guest vocalist Regina Belle, “Closer Than Friends” and “Shower Me With Your Love”. The latter song was certified gold and was a crossover hit on the Billboard Pop 100 singles chart peaking in at #5 and the Adult Contemporary chart at #3. The singles “Can We Spend Some Time Together” and the up-tempo dance floor cut “I Missed” were top 5 R/B hits.
In 1991, the group’s third album “3 Deep” was released and was yet another success for the group. The first single from the album was titled “The First Time” which was certified gold and went #1 on the Billboard R/B, Pop and Adult Contemporary singles charts. The hits continued with “All I Want Is You” (peaked at #8 R/B) and “Never Gonna Let You Down” (peaked at #17 on the R/B and Adult Contemporary singles charts). The next single from the album “You’re the One” reached # 24 on the R/B singles chart.
