'Surfin' is often considered one of the weakest and most commercial Embryo albums; Christian Burchard, however, has a somewhat different view. Many listeners disapprove of its distinct funk and soul influences. This development has the following background: Prior to the recordings, Christian Burchard and Roman Bunka had spent some time in New York, where they had seen a number of funk, soul, and jazz stars on stage. They were so enthusiastic about what they had heard, that some of that style was included into 'Surfin''. The name of the album, by the way, has nothing to do with surfing or surf music but refers to the musicians' traveling from gig to gig. The LP cover has been designed accordingly. It is one of the few Embryo albums recorded with the meanwhile deceased Charlie Mariano.