Name: The First Time: The Best Of Surface by Surface
Brand: Surface
SKU: 5099750451021
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.5 (98 reviews)

COMPILATION

Although they had a number of R&B hits during the late '80s, Surface didn't cross over into the pop mainstream in any notable way. They scraped the bottom reaches of the charts a few times, but they never had a breakout hit that would establish them as stars. Listening to Columbia/Legacy's definitive retrospective The First Time: The Best of Surface, it's possible to hear why they didn't break out -- they simply didn't have a song that would break them big. That doesn't mean that they were a bad group, since they were very competent within their genre and several hits here are very pleasant late-'80s urban cuts, either on the ballad or dance side. But there's nothing particularly striking, nothing with a hook that would send the band soaring up the pop charts. Still, if you happen to be a fan, either of the group or of this sound, this is a pleasing listen, and a very representative overview of what Surface achieved.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo

1. Happy

by Surface

Background Vocals: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Lyricist: Bernard Jackson
David Conley
David Townsend
B. Jackson
D. Townsend
D. Conley; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Craig Burbidge; Production
Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Guitar: Bernard Jackson
David Townsend; Performer
Percussion: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Piano: David Townsend; Performer
Composer: Bernard Jackson
David Townsend
David Conley
B. Jackson
D. Townsend
D. Conley; Composer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Saxophone: Larry Conley; Performer
Synthesizer: David "pic" Conley
Bernard Jackson
Vassal Benford
David Townsend
David Conley; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Executive Producer: Larkin Arnold
Erik Nuri; Production
Mixing Engineer: Matthew "krash" Kasha
David Rivkin
Matthew Kasha; Production
Recording: Dave Ahlert
Julian Robertson
Tony Braithwaite
David Rivkin; Production
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Bernard Jackson
David 'pic' Conley
David Townsend; Production

2. The First Time

by Surface

Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Background Vocals: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley
Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: Bob Brockman
David "pic" Conley
Brian Simpson
Bernard Jackson
David Townsend; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley; Performer
Fretless Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Guitar: David Townsend; Performer
Keyboard: David Townsend
Brian Simpson; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Rap: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Rap Performed By: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Synthesizer: David "pic" Conley
David Townsend; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Composer: Brian Simpson
Bernard Jackson; Composer
Lyricist: Bernard Jackson
Brian Simpson; Composer
Producer: Surface; Production

3. Gotta Make Love Tonight

by Surface

Background Vocals: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Composer: David Townsend
David Conley
Bernard Jackson; Composer
Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Percussion: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Assistant Engineer: Craig Burbidge; Production
Executive Producer: Larkin Arnold
Erik Nuri; Production
Guitar: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Piano: David Townsend; Performer
Saxophone: Larry Conley; Performer
Recording: David Rivkin
Julian Robertson
Tony Braithwaite
Dave Ahlert; Production
Synthesizer: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley
Vassal Benford
Bernard Jackson
David Conley; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Lyricist: Bernard Jackson
David Townsend
David Conley; Composer
Mixing Engineer: David Rivkin
Matthew "krash" Kasha
Matthew Kasha; Production
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
Davis Townsend
David Townsend; Production

4. Can We Spend Some Time (Single Version)

by Surface

Background Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Bass Guitar: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Guitar: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Composer: Bernard Jackson
B. Jackson; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Frank Nogveras
Paul Higgins; Production
Engineer: David Conley; Production
Executive Producer: Cecil Holmes; Production
Mastering Engineer: Jose Rodriguez; Production
Acoustic Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Bob Brockman; Production
Piano: David Townsend; Performer
Synthesizer: Vassal Benford; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Arranger: Surface; Composer
Lyricist: B. Jackson; Composer
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: David "pic" Conley
Davis Townsend
Bernard Jackson
David Townsend; Production

5. Hold On to Love

by Surface

Background Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Composer: Bernard Jackson
David Conley
David Townsend; Composer
Drum Programming: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Assistant Engineer: Paul Higgins
Joe Intile
Frank Nogveras; Production
Engineer: David Conley; Production
Executive Producer: Cecil Holmes; Production
Guitar: Vassal Benford
David Townsend; Performer
Percussion: Everett Collins; Performer
Performer: Surface
Regina Belle; Performer
Arranger: Surface; Composer
Synthesizer: Vassal Benford
David Townsend; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Lyricist: Bernard Jackson
David Townsend
David Conley; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Jose Rodriguez; Production
Mixing Engineer: Bob Brockman; Production
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Townsend; Production

6. Never Gonna Let You Down (Album Version)

by Surface

Background Vocals: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley
Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley
Bernard Jackson
Brian Simpson; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley; Performer
Fretless Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Arranger: Bobby Wooten; Composer
Composer: Bernard Jackson; Composer
Lyricist: Bernard Jackson; Composer
Guitar: David Townsend; Performer
Keyboard: David Townsend
Brian Simpson; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Rap: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Rap Performed By: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Synthesizer: David "pic" Conley
David Townsend; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Surface; Production

7. Don't Wanna Turn You Off (Album Version)

by Surface

Background Vocals: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Townsend; Performer
Drum Programming: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Townsend; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley; Performer
Fretless Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Guitar: David Townsend; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Piano: Vassal Benford; Performer
Author: J. Thompson
G. Lennon
D. Conley; Production
Keyboard: David Townsend
Vassal Benford
Joshua Thompson; Performer
Rap: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Programmer: Gene Lennon; Production
Rap Performed By: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Synthesizer: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley; Performer
Composer: G. Lennon
J. Thompson
D. Conley; Composer
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Surface; Production

8. All I Want Is You

by Surface

Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Background Vocals: David Townsend
Everette Collins
Derrick Culler
Regina Belle
Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley; Performer
Drum Programming: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley
Bernard Jackson; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley; Performer
Fretless Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Guitar: David Townsend; Performer
Keyboard: David Townsend; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Rap: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Rap Performed By: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Synthesizer: David "pic" Conley
David Townsend; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Composer: D. Culler
D. Conley; Composer
Lyricist: D. Conley
D. Culler; Composer
Producer: Surface; Production

9. Closer Than Friends (Single Version)

by Surface

Background Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: David "pic" Conley
David Townsend
David Conley; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Composer: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson
D. Townsend
B. Jackson; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Paul Higgins
Frank Nogveras; Production
Engineer: David Conley; Production
Executive Producer: Cecil Holmes; Production
Mastering Engineer: Jose Rodriguez; Production
Mixing Engineer: Bob Brockman; Production
Piano: David Townsend
Vassal Benford; Performer
Synthesizer: Vassal Benford
David Townsend; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Arranger: Surface; Composer
Lyricist: D. Townsend
B. Jackson; Composer
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Townsend; Production

10. I Missed (Single Version)

by Surface

Background Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Composer: David Conley
Everett Collins
Bernard Jackson
B. Jackson
D. Conley
E. Collins; Composer
Drum Programming: David Conley; Performer
Guitar: David Townsend; Performer
Assistant Engineer: Paul Higgins
Frank Nogveras; Production
Engineer: David Conley; Production
Executive Producer: Cecil Holmes; Production
Horn: Vassal Benford; Performer
Horn Section: Vassal Benford; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Synthesizer: Vassal Benford; Performer
Arranger: Surface; Composer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Lyricist: B. Jackson
D. Conley
E. Collins; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Jose Rodriguez; Production
Mixing Engineer: Carl Beatty; Production
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Townsend; Production

11. Lately

by Surface

Background Vocals: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Composer: David Townsend
David Conley
Bernard Jackson
B. Jackson
D. Townsend
D. Conley; Composer
Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Percussion: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Assistant Engineer: Craig Burbidge; Production
Executive Producer: Larkin Arnold
Erik Nuri; Production
Guitar: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Piano: David Townsend; Performer
Saxophone: Larry Conley; Performer
Recording: David Rivkin
Julian Robertson
Tony Braithwaite
Dave Ahlert; Production
Synthesizer: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley
Vassal Benford
Bernard Jackson
David Conley; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Lyricist: B. Jackson
D. Townsend
D. Conley; Composer
Mixing Engineer: David Rivkin
Matthew "krash" Kasha
Matthew Kasha; Production
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
Davis Townsend
David Townsend; Production

12. Let's Try Again

by Surface

Composer: David Townsend
David Conley
Bernard Jackson
D. Townsend
B. Jackson
D. Conley; Composer
Background Vocals: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Townsend
David Conley; Performer
Bass Guitar: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Guitar: Bernard Jackson
David Townsend; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Lyricist: D. Townsend
B. Jackson
D. Conley; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Craig Burbidge; Production
Executive Producer: Larkin Arnold
Erik Nuri; Production
Piano: David Townsend; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Matthew "krash" Kasha
David Rivkin
Matthew Kasha; Production
Acoustic Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Percussion: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Saxophone: Larry Conley; Performer
Synthesizer: David "pic" Conley
David Townsend
Vassal Benford
Bernard Jackson
David Conley; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Recording: David Rivkin
Dave Ahlert
Julian Robertson
Tony Braithwaite; Production
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Production

13. We're All Searchin'

by Surface

Background Vocals: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Composer: David Townsend
David Conley
Bernard Jackson; Composer
Bass: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Drum Programming: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Flute: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Percussion: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Assistant Engineer: Craig Burbidge; Production
Executive Producer: Larkin Arnold
Erik Nuri; Production
Guitar: David Townsend
Bernard Jackson; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Piano: David Townsend; Performer
Saxophone: Larry Conley; Performer
Recording: David Rivkin
Julian Robertson
Tony Braithwaite
Dave Ahlert; Production
Synthesizer: David Townsend
David "pic" Conley
Vassal Benford
Bernard Jackson
David Conley; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Lyricist: Bernard Jackson
David Townsend
David Conley; Composer
Mixing Engineer: David Rivkin
Matthew "krash" Kasha
Matthew Kasha; Production
Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Producer: Bernard Jackson
David "pic" Conley
Davis Townsend
David Townsend; Production

14. Shower Me With Your Love

by Surface

Primary Artist: Surface; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Cymbals: Bob Brockman; Performer
Guitar: David Townsend; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Simpson; Performer
Performer: Surface; Performer
Saxophone: David "pic" Conley
David Conley; Performer
Vocals: Bernard Jackson; Performer
Arranger: Bobby Wooten; Composer
Composer: Bernard Jackson
B. Jackson; Composer
Lyricist: B. Jackson; Composer
Executive Producer: Cecil Holmes; Production
Producer: David "pic" Conley
Bernard Jackson
David Townsend; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

14 tracks available

Type

COMPILATION

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 2 minutes and 53 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 600x600 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

13/14 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

9/14 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, R&B, Soul, Quiet Storm, Contemporary R&B, New Age

Label

Columbia

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Aug 20, 2001

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

5099750451021

Shopping cart

Notification

The First Time: The Best Of Surface

1. Happy

2. The First Time

3. Gotta Make Love Tonight

4. Can We Spend Some Time (Single Version)

5. Hold On to Love

6. Never Gonna Let You Down (Album Version)

7. Don't Wanna Turn You Off (Album Version)

8. All I Want Is You

9. Closer Than Friends (Single Version)

10. I Missed (Single Version)

11. Lately

12. Let's Try Again

13. We're All Searchin'

14. Shower Me With Your Love

Technical Specifications

The First Time: The Best Of Surface

Product information

Release options

1. Happy

2. The First Time

3. Gotta Make Love Tonight

4. Can We Spend Some Time (Single Version)

5. Hold On to Love

6. Never Gonna Let You Down (Album Version)

7. Don't Wanna Turn You Off (Album Version)

8. All I Want Is You

9. Closer Than Friends (Single Version)

10. I Missed (Single Version)

11. Lately

12. Let's Try Again

13. We're All Searchin'

14. Shower Me With Your Love

Technical Specifications