The Unifics were an American soul group hailing from Washington, D.C.
The group's origins trace back to 1966 when a collective of students at Howard University formed a band initially named Al & the Vikings. This ensemble included singer/songwriter Al Johnson, along with Tom Fauntleroy, Marvin Brown, Bob Hayes, and George Roland. Within their first year, the group rebranded themselves, first becoming the Unique Five and ultimately settling on the name the Unifics. They gained recognition for their smooth harmonies and distinctive fashion sense, characterized by their trademark white gloves, which helped them cultivate a substantial following in the D.C. area and beyond.
However, the Unifics faced a series of personnel changes due to the members' external commitments, which sometimes perplexed their most dedicated fans. In 1967, Hayes, Roland, and Fauntleroy departed (with Fauntleroy enlisting in the military), leaving the group as a quartet. They subsequently welcomed Michel Ward and Greg Cook to the lineup, while Brown exited the following year, replaced by Harold Worthington.
Under the management of Guy Draper, who also became their producer and a principal songwriter, the Unifics secured a contract with Kapp Records (MCA/Universal). During this time, their music was arranged by Donny Hathaway, whom Draper had discovered at Howard University. Shortly after signing with Kapp, the Unifics achieved national success with their single "Court of Love," which topped Record World and garnered attention on both the Soul and Pop charts in Billboard and Cash Box Magazines in 1968. This Top 40 hit was notable for its mock-courtroom setting. The Unifics earned a reputation as "the act that no group wanted to follow," consistently impressing standing-room-only crowds at venues such as the Apollo Theater, Uptown Theater, and Howard Theater, as well as fans nationwide. Draper crafted their iconic stage presence, which included white gloves and strobe lights, while drummer Jerome Brailey contributed his distinctive flair to "Court of Love" and toured with the group.
A conflict with Draper resulted in a lengthy legal battle and the departure of Ward and Worthington (who had three additional hits with the group before leaving). In 1970, Fauntleroy and Brown rejoined, forming the longest-lasting iteration of the band, which included Johnson, Brown, Fauntleroy, and Cook. The Unifics continued to enjoy chart success into the early 1970s with songs such as "It's a Groovy World," "Toshisumasu," and their final major hit, "The Beginning of My End," all written by Draper. Their last single was "Dawn of a New Day (In My Life)" released on Jerry Butler's Fountain label. In 1971, they signed with Fountain Records but disbanded in 1972. Following the breakup, Johnson emerged as a prominent songwriter and producer over the next three decades, frequently collaborating with Fauntleroy on projects for artists like the Dells, Peabo Bryson, the Whispers, and Norman Connors.
In 2004, three decades after the Unifics disbanded, Johnson and Fauntleroy decided to revive the group, enlisting veteran singers Charlie Lockhart and Garrett Hall from Newport News, Virginia, to complete the quartet. At the end of 2004, they self-released "Unifics Return," marking the first new album from the Unifics in over thirty years.
Al Johnson enjoyed a brief solo career in the 1980s, collaborating with artists such as Norman Connors, Jean Carn, The Whispers, Sharon Redd, Gayle Adams, and Special Delivery. He passed away on October 26, 2013, at the age of 65.
Following Johnson's death, Fauntleroy chose to retire from performing, transitioning to a role as the band's choreographer. The group later announced that Hall and Lockhart would be joined by tenor Ned Harris and baritone Bruce Justice in a new lineup.
