Surface - Falling In Love / Happy (Love Mix) [Be With Records]

Two seminal 12" vinyl mixes of a pair of iconic Surface tracks. Featured in the extremely rare, and until now, France-only sleeve for the perennial ‘Falling In Love’, we’ve coupled that classic with Be With’s favourite deconstructed mix of the enveloping electronic soul and synth-driven ballad ‘Happy’. These coveted versions have never before been paired on the same record. This new Be With reissue guarantees these legendary tracks now sound, look and feel as sensational as they deserve. You know what to do…

Surface, American post-disco/R&B trio, were a vocal group from New Jersey consisting of Bernard Jackson, David Townsend, and David Conley. The majestic boogie ballad “Falling In Love” was their debut single, released back in 1983 on Salsoul Records. The smooth magic of this track is adored worldwide; it's a feel-good, smooth boogie piece that has always been highly coveted. The crystal clear polished groove, the legendary minimoog bass line, the melody, the gorgeous vocal from Karen Copeland, the great flute solo (referenced on the sleeve) – it is all literally perfect and beautifully encapsulates that mid-80s international club vibe. This is the original Shep Pettibone mix in its entirety, the only one you ever really need.

On the flip side is the legendary “Love Mix” of the 1987 smash hit single “Happy”. Everyone knows the original. At least, they should. But the "Love Mix" is a deconstructed and boldly produced version, long the choice of the cognoscenti. Yet its hypnotic groove has, in our opinion, been overlooked for far too many years. This stunning remix opens with Jackson’s eerie isolated vocal, cleverly subverting expectations by delivering the first words of the original’s second verse – "You must be Heaven sent…Sent into my life…And I compliment you baby…Baby" – before a heavy 808 kick drum enters with echoey claps. It’s super minimalistic, dubby slow-mo boogie like no other. The synth bass, atmospheric pads, and synth flute flow with an effortless swagger, and the whole thing is a marvel to behold.

It’s a slow jam, for sure, but crafted in the pure funk tradition, using the digital tools of the time, and this even scarcer version almost sounds like a forerunner of UK Street Soul. A unique blend of undeniable funk, electro rhythms, and a heartfelt youthful tenor – it should be pumping in every car forevermore.

Original audio for both tracks was remastered by Simon Francis, and Cicely Balston’s precise cutting at Alchemy at AIR studios ensures this 12” vinyl really jumps. Flawless pressing from Record Industry will ensure this much sought-after treasure finds its way into many more collections, this year and all the next. Simply flawless.