Surface

Three piece soul vocal group formed in the mid-80's by songwriter David Townsend (son of singer/songwriter Ed Townsend (Marvin Gaye"Let's Get It On")), multi-instrumentalist David “Pic” Conley and singer/songwriter/lead vocalist Bernard Jackson. Originally staff writers for EMI providing songs for Gwen Guthrie and Sister Sledge, they charted in 1987 with “Happy,” from their debut album"Surface". Further hits and a second album"2nd Wave" followed in 1990. 1991 saw the release of"3 Deep" and a greatest hits complilation"A Nice Time for Lovin'" in 1992. Townsend and Conley concentrated on songwriting after this but the group returned with"Love Zone" (1998). They announced a reunion tour for Summer 2005 and the recording of a new album. Sadly, David Townsend died on October 29, 2005 at age 50 before the album was completed.