The First Time: The Best of Surface

by Surface

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	08/21/2001
Label:	Bmg / Sony Music
UPC:	0886977134227

Tracks

1. Happy
2. The First Time
3. Gotta Make Love Tonight
4. Can We Spend Some Time
5. Hold On to Love
6. Never Gonna Let You Down
7. Don't Wanna Turn You Off
8. All I Want Is You
9. Closer Than Friends
10. I Missed
11. Lately
12. Let's Try Again
13. We're All Searchin'
14. Shower Me With Your Love

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Surface   Primary Artist
Vassal Benford   Synthesizer,Synthesizer Strings,Piano,Keyboards
Regina Belle   Vocals (Background)
Bobby Wooten   Conductor
Bernard Jackson   Rap,Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Synthesizer,Fretless Bass,Vocals (Background)
Larry Conley   Saxophone
David Townsend   Piano,Guitar,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Synthesizer Bass,Vocals (Background)
Joshua Thompson   Strings,Keyboards,Synthesizer Bass
Everett Collins   Vocals (Background)
Derrick Culler   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Melainie Baker   Musician
Gene Lennon   Programming
Diego Uchitel   Photography
Carlos Baptiste   Musician
Stephen Moore   Project Director
Brenda Vincent   Musician
Vassal Benford   Synthesizer Programming,Arranger
Maxine Roach   Musician
Garfield Moore   Musician
Cecilia Hobbs   Musician
Richard Spencer   Musician
Bobby Wooten   String Arrangements
Sandra Billingslea   Musician
Felix Farrar   Musician
Howard Fritzson   Art Direction
Cesar Vera   Photography
Clarissa Howell   Musician
Patmore Lewis   Musician
Jon Kass   Musician
Jeremy Engel   Packaging Manager
Alvin McCall   Musician
Alfred Brown   Musician
Diane Monroe   Musician
Bernard Jackson   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming
Isham Jones   Composer
Eileen Folson   String Contractor
Darcy Proper   Mastering
Juliet Haffner   Musician
David Townsend   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming
Lesa Terry   Musician
Nedra Olds-Neal   Compilation Producer
Brian Simpson   Composer
Everett Collins   Composer
Bruce Wang   Musician
Crystal Garner   Musician
Bob Brockman   Overdubs,Drum Programming
Derrick Culler   Composer
David Conley   Composer