Surface
2nd Wave
Arranged By – Surface
Arranged By [String Arrangements], Synthesizer [String Synthesizer] – Bobby Wooten
Cymbal [Cymbals] – Bob Brockman
Engineer – John Falzarano "Flaz"
Engineer [Mix Engineers] – "Bassie" Bob Brockman
Guitar – David Townsend
Keyboards, Synth [Synth Bass], Drum Programming – Brian Simpson
Lead Vocals [Lead], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bernard Jackson
Saxophone [Sax] – Pic
Written-By – B. Jackson 4:53
A2 Closer Than Friends
Arranged By – Surface
Engineer [Mix Engineers] – "Bassie" Bob Brockman
Lead Vocals [Lead], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bernard Jackson
Piano [Acoustc Piano], Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Vassal Benford
Synth [Synth Bass], Drum Programming – Pic
Synthesizer, Electric Piano, Drum Programming – David Townsend
Written By – B. Jackson-D. Townsend
Written-By – B. Jackson, D. Townsend 4:44
A3 Can We Spend Some Time
Arranged By – Surface
Drum Programming – Pic
Electric Piano, Guitar – David Townsend
Engineer [Mix Engineers] – "Bassie" Bob Brockman
Lead Vocals [Lead], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals], Guitar, Electric Bass – Bernard Jackson
Synthesizer [String Synthesizer], Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Vassal Benford
Written-By – B. Jackson 4:30
A4 You Are My Everything
Arranged By – Surface
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals], Guitar – David Townsend
Engineer [Mix Engineers] – Carl Beatty
Guest [Our Guest Vocalist], Vocals [Our Guest Vocalist] – Regina Bell
Lead Vocals – Bernard Jackson
Synth [Synth Bass], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals], Percussion, Drum Programming, Flute – Pic
Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Vassal Benford
Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Everett Collins
Written By – D. Conley-E. Collins-D. Culler-D. Townsend
Written-By – D. Conley, D. Townsend, D. Culler, E. Collins 4:28
B1 I Missed
Arranged By – Surface
Engineer [Mix Engineers] – Carl Beatty
Guitar – David Townsend
Horns, Synthesizer – Vassal Benford
Lead Vocals [Lead], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bernard Jackson
Sounds [Orchestral Hits], Drum Programming – Pic
Synth [Synth Bass], Arranged By [Drum Arrangement], Programmed By [Programming] – Everett Collins
Written By – D. Conley-B. Jackson-E. Collins
Written-By – B. Jackson, D. Conley, E. Collins 4:56
B2 Black Shades
Arranged By – Derrick Culler, Len-Thom
Backing Vocals [Background Vocalists] – Cheryl Maynard, Derrick Culler, Kathy Cat-Nip Griffin, Lauri Hawes, Lisa Stevens, Starlena Yung
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – David Townsend, Pic
Effects [Air Filter Voice], Drum Programming [Drum], Programmed By [Computer Programming] – Gene Lennon
Engineer [Mix Engineers] – "Bassie" Bob Brockman
Keyboards, Guitar, Synth [Synth Bass], Drum Programming – Joshua Thompson
Lead Vocals [Lead], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals], Rap – Bernard Jackson
Saxophone [Sax] – Larry Conley
Written By – J. Thompson-D. Culler-G. Lennon
Written-By – D. Culler, G. Lennon, J. Thompson 4:57
B3 Hold On To Love
Arranged By – Surface
Engineer [Mix Engineers] – "Bassie" Bob Brockman
Guest [Our Guest Vocalist], Vocals [Our Guest Vocalist] – Regina Bell
Lead Guitar, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Vassal Benford
Lead Vocals [Lead], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bernard Jackson
Percussion – Everett Collins
Synth [Synth Bass], Flute, Drum Programming – Pic
Synthesizer, Guitar, Drum Programming – David Townsend
Written By – D. Townsend-B. Jackson-D. Conley
Written-By – B. Jackson, D. Conley, D. Townsend 4:10
B4 Where's That Girl
Arranged By – Surface
Arranged By [Arranged], Conductor [Conducted Strings] – Bobby "Maestro" Wooten
Engineer [Mix Engineers] – Carl Beatty
Guitar, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – David Townsend
Lead Vocals [Lead], Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bernard Jackson
Synth [Synth Bass], Drum Programming – Pic
Written By – D. Townsend-D. Conley-B. Jackson
Written-By – B. Jackson, D. Conley, D. Townsend 4:31
Label: Columbia – FC 44284
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Soul, Contemporary R&B
Surface's 1988 album, 2nd Wave, is generally regarded by fans and critics as a strong sophomore effort, and by some aficionados, their finest work. The album solidified their style of smooth, contemporary R&B and soul, yielding multiple major hit singles and achieving platinum sales.
The album was a significant commercial success, selling over a million copies and peaking at number five on the US R&B chart and number 56 on the US pop chart. It produced an impressive run of successful singles, including "Closer Than Friends" (their first R&B number one), "I Missed," and "Shower Me with Your Love" (their biggest pop hit at the time).
The trio, composed of Bernard Jackson, David Conley, and David Townsend, earned respect for delivering fashionable, well-crafted songs with a touch of class and melody that didn't abandon their soul roots. The music is characterized by 80s elements like synths and drum machine patterns, offering a blend of R&B, soul, and pop.
Lead singer Bernard Jackson's vocals are frequently praised as excellent, with critics noting he gave his all to every track, whether a hit single or an album filler.
Ron Wynn from AllMusic highlighted "Shower Me with Your Love" and "You Are My Everything" as standout tracks, while others point to the smooth, mellow tunes like "Can We Spend Some Time" and the strong dance track "I Missed".
Some reviews note that while the album is good, it occasionally leaned heavily into pop to achieve mass appeal, which slightly diluted its core R&B identity for some listeners. The heavy 80s production can feel a bit dated when listening today.
Overall, 2nd Wave is a highly regarded album that successfully showcased Surface's talent for creating memorable, high-quality R&B and soul music. It is considered a classic of late 1980s R&B, celebrated for its strong songwriting, excellent vocals, and numerous hit singles that have remained memorable for fans of the era.