A late-'60s and early-'70s soul group, the Unifics formed at Washington, D.C.'s Howard University. Their lead singer was Al Johnson, with tenors Michel Ward and Grek Cook and baritone Harold Washington. Their biggest hit was 1968's "Court of Love," which mixed narrative, mock courtroom proceedings, and Johnson's passionate vocals. It peaked at number three and also made it to number 25 on the pop charts. A second single, "The Beginning of My End," also cracked the R&B Top Ten at number nine. They enjoyed two other mild hits in 1969, "It's a Groovy World" and "Toshisumasu," but were never again major players in the soul arena. Ward and Washington left in 1970, and were replaced by Marvin Brown and Tom Fauntleroy. The Unifics moved from Kapp to the Fountain label in 1971, making a few more records before disbanding. Johnson enjoyed some success as a lead singer and producer in the late '70s, '80s, and '90s. ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi
