(Smooth Jazz, R&B, Jazz-Pop) [WEB] David Pic Conley - Bird Of Paradise - 2008, FLAC (tracks), lossless

CD Baby:
BIOGRAPHY OF
DAVID “PIC” CONLEY
Multi-instrumentalist David “Pic” Conley, founding member of popular recording group Surface, was instrumental in the group’s #1 R&B hits “Shower Me With Your Love” and “Only You Can Make Me Happy.” He is also known for his superlative flute solos, lusty vocals, and impeccable production masterpieces. This has made him a logical choice for state-of-the-art studio recordings: From Victoria Beckham and (Spice Girls) Damon Dash to Blackstreet, the Institute Of Audio Research alumnus has amassed a daunting list of producer credits, which encompasses nearly every nomenclature. Other names David has worked with are Burt Bacharach, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Melba Moore, Stanley Jordan, and George Benson, as a sampling.
It was in 1977, after contributing to the group Mandrill’s album New World and after performing on Soul Train for the first time that David first came to the attention of the general public. From that point forward his star has risen to heights he could’ve only imagined a few years earlier.
As a child, David listened to various genres and was heavily influence by his hero and Motown crooner Marvin Gaye. Also discernable in David’s seductive style are the influences of flutists Hubert Laws and Carlos Wilson of Mandrill.
Months after releasing their first single “Let’s Try Again (1986),” Surface released “Only You Can Make Me Happy,” a lucid tune with passionate lyrics, which soared to #1 on the R&B charts. These were tracks from the Surface, which sold more than 500,000 copies. And a year later, David produced the album Are You Tough Enough for singer Rebbie Jackson.
In 1989, following their first album, David and the group released platinum release Second Wave, which contains four singles, including “I Miss,” “Closer Than Friends,” “You Are My Everything” featuring Regina Belle, and the chart-topper “Shower Me With Your Love.” During that same year he produced the #1 single “Don’t Take It Personal” for the popular Jermain Jackson. This project proved to be the perfect follow-up and whetted fan appetite for other Conley-produced recordings.
Perhaps the trio’s greatest solo success was the album “3 Deep.” This project boasted the track “The First Time,” which topped the charts on R&B, pop, and AC, as fans purchased more 500,000 units.
It would take many pages to list all of the well-known artists whom David has worked with or who’ve recorded his music.
David’s dynamic musicianship is captured on their 1991 Columbia Records release The Best Surface: A Nice Time For Loving. The single on the album, “A Nice Time For Loving,” definitively underscores the musicianship of fellow Surface members David Townsend and Bernard Jackson. David’s last studio recording with the Surface was The Best First Time: The Best Of Surface.
In 2008, we’re anticipating the release of Bird Of Paradise, the latest creation from David and the No Rulz Band, featuring Hubert Laws, Nelson Rangel, Bernard Jackson, Paul Jackson Jr., and the sultry vocals of Levi of Blackstreet. Before major distribution, this project will be available online I-Tunes and other Internet retail outlets.
From his first single as a member of Surface and under the direction of Larkin Arnold till now, David “Pic” Conley continues to compose, produce and market many of his own projects. What we see looming over the horizon is only the beginning of an inexhaustible reservoir of superb productions.
-- Phil Brown
ALBUMS:
1987: Surface (Columbia) - US #55, R&B #11
1989: 2nd Wave (Columbia) - US #56, R&B #5
1990: 3 Deep (Columbia) - US #65, R&B #19
1991: The Best Surface: A Nice Time for Loving (Columbia)
2001: The First Time: The Best of Surface (Sony)
SINGLES:
1983: "Falling in Love" - R&B #84
1984: "When Your Ex Wants You Back"
1986: "Let's Try Again" - R&B #22
1987: "Happy" - US #20, R&B #2
1987: "Lately" - R&B #8
1988: "I Missed" - R&B #3
1989: "Can We Spend Some Time" - R&B #5
1989: "Closer Than Friends" - R&B #57, R&B #1
1989: "Shower Me With Your Love" - US #5, R&B #1
1989: "You Are My Everything" - US #84, R&B #1
1990: "The First Time" - US #1, R&B #1
1991: "All I Want Is You" - R&B #8
1991: "Never Gonna Let You Down" - US #17, R&B #24
1991: "You're the One/We Don't Have to Say Good-bye" - R&B #35
1992: "A Nice Time for Lovin'" - R&B #52

CD Baby:
"Pop jazz with a little taste of R&B. David Conley is from the multi-platinum R&B group Surface."
David “Pic” Conley
Bird of Paradise
With "The No Rulz Band”
Produced by Pic Conley
Mastered at Masterwork, Philadelphia, Penn. By Peter Humphrey, Assisted by Craig White
Also selections produced by Gene Lennon, Martin Blockson, Joshua Thompson, David Conley Jr.
1.
Bird Of Paradise- Written by D. Conley
Produced by Joshua Thompson and Pic Conley.
Executive producer Rob Greer
Recorded at Greer Studios, Montclair, NJ, and Pic’s House of Music, Newport News, Va.
Mixed at Greer Studios by Earl Cohen, Joshua Thompson, and Pic Conley
Engineered by Jay Golden, Pic, and assisted by James Fox
No Rulz Musicians: Ronnie Jordan (Guitar), Jay Golden (Electric Bass), Melvin Davis (Rhodes and Organs), Everett “Jam” Benton (Drum Programming, James Gibbs (Flugel Horn), and Pic Conley (Flutes)
2.
Spanish Fly- Written by D. Conley
Produced by Pic Conley and Gene Lennon
Recorded at Tallest Tree Studios in Montclair, NJ
Mixed at Greer Studios by Earl Cohen and Pic Conley
Engineered by Gene Lennon, John Lawton, Pic, and assisted by James Fox
The No Rulz Musicians: Nat Townsley (Drums), Dario Buente (Acoustic Piano), Takashi Otsuka (Electric Bass), Pic (Flute, Bass Flute, Rhodes and String Synth, Guitar synth
3.
Silence –Written by D. Conley
Produced by Pic Conley
Recorded at Pic’s House of Music
Mixed at Greer’s Studios by Earl Cohen and Pic Conley
Engineered by Pic, assisted by James Fox, and Larry “Monitti” Elkins
The No Rulz Musicians: Martin Blockson (Lead bass and synth), Naoko Fukuda (Background vocals), Pic Shakahatchi (All keyboards, Drum Programming and Bass Synth)
4.
Happy-Written by D. Townsend, B. Jackson, and P. Conley
Produced by Pic Conley
Recorded at Pic’s House of Music
Mixed at Greer’s Studios by Earl Cohen and Pic Conley
Engineered by Pic Conley and assisted by James Fox and Lauren Johnson
No Rulz Musicians: Everett Collins (String pads, Rhodes and Synthesizer), David Williams (Guitar), Ben “B.J.” Brown (Acoustic Piano), Pic Conley (Flute, Drum Programming, Bass Synth, and Synthesizer)
5.
Pictures of You- Written by D. Conley and Martin Blockson
Produced by Pic Conley and Martin Blockson
Recorded at Pic’s House of Music
Mixed at Greer Studios by Earl Cohen and Pic Conley
Engineered by Pic, Martin Blockson, and assisted by James Fox
No Rulz Musicians: Nat Townsley (Drums), Romero Williams (Electric Bass), Martin Blockson (All keyboards), Larry “Monitti” Elkins (Electric Guitar), Pic (Flute, Alto Flutes)
6.
The Secret Garden- Written By Rod Temperton, Siedah Garrett, Quincy Jones, El DeBarge
Produced by Pic Conley and Gene Lennon
Co-Produced by Joshua Thompson
Recorded at Tallest Tree Studios, Pic’s House of Music, and Side 3 Studios, Denver, Co.
Mixed at Gene’s Studio, Princeton, NJ by Gene Lennon, Romero’s Studio, California, and Paul Jackson Jr’s Studio, California
Engineered by Gene Lennon, Jay Golden, Tyler Bsoifer, Romero Williams, Paul Jackson Jr, and Pic
No Rulz Musicians: Hubert Laws (Flute), Nelson Rangell (Piccolo Flute), , Everett “Jam” Benton (Keyboard and Drum Programming), Romero Williams (Electric Bass), Paul Jackson Jr. (Electric Guitar) Gene Lennon (Acoustic Guitar and Synthesizer), Pic (Bass Flute), Bernard Jackson (Background Vocals)
7.
Bounce Wit Me-Written by C. Dennis and D. Conley
Produced by Pic Conley
Recorded at Pic’s House of Music, B digital, Norfolk, Va
Mixed at Greer’s Studios by Earl Cohen and Pic Conley
Engineered by Tom Benvenuto, Pic, and assisted by James Fox
No Rulz Musicians: Everett “Jam” Benton (All Keyboards) Larry “Monitti” Elkins (Guitar), Erica Gainer (Background Vocals), Pic (Flute)
8.
Space Bone- Written By D. Conley and Martin Blockson
Produced by Pic Conley and Martin Blockson
Recorded at Pic’s House of Music
Mixed at Pic’s House of Music by Pic
Engineered by Pic. Martin Blockson, and assisted by James Fox
No Rulz Musicians; Dario Outlaws (Congas), Martin Blockson (All Keyboards, Bass Synth, and Drum Programming), Larry “Monitti” Elkins (Guitar) Pic Conley (Alto Flute and Flute)
9.
Where Did We Go Wrong- Written by D. Conley and D. Conley Jr.
Produced by Pic Conley and David Tao Conley
Recorded at Pic’s House of Music by Pic Conley
Mixed at Pic’s House of Music by Pic Conley
Engineered by Tao Conley, Kennan Wilson, Pic Conley and assisted James Fox
No Rulz Musicians: Duane Smith (Trumpet), John Harrell (Vocals), Larry “Monitti” Elkins (Guitar), Martin Blockson (Keyboards), Tao Conley (Drum Programming), and Pic (Flute, bass synth and moog synthesizer )
10.
Woody-Written by D. Conley and Martin Blockson
Produced by Pic Conley and Martin Blockson
Recorded at Tallest Tree Studios and Pic’s House of Music
Mixed at Pic’s House of Music by Pic Conley
Engineered by Gene Lennon, John Lawton, Pic and assisted by James Fox
No Rulz Musicians: Nat Townsley (Drums), Martin Blockson (Upright Bass and Keyboards) and Pic (Flute)
11.
Red Flowers in Bloom-Written by D. Townsend, Aaron Rawson, and D. Conley
Produced by David Townsend, Aaron Rawson, and Pic Conley
Recorded at Aaron’s Studio Los Angeles, Ca. and Pic’s House of Music
Mixed at Greer Studios by Earl Cohen and Pic Conley
Engineered by Aaron and Pic
No Rulz Band Musicians: David Townsend (Guitar, Keyboards, Electric Bass), Aaron (Percussions), Pic (Flute and Synthesizer)