to listen or purchase
If someone had asked me to the list the classic soul groups from which I would expect a new CD release in 2005, the Unifics probably wouldn't have made the top 1000. But here they are, more than 30 years after their last release, with the new Unifics Return. Even though the current group includes only two of the original members, it is absolutely great hearing the Unifics again, and Unifics Return, a juicy slice of early 70s-style soul, is a fine vehicle for their return. The group sounds great on this mixed bag of original songs and remakes, with harmonies as tight as they were in the late 60s, and lead singer Al Johnson shows that he is still one of the smoothest singers in Soul.
If someone had asked me to the list the classic soul groups from which I would expect a new CD release in 2005, the Unifics probably wouldn't have made the top 1000. But here they are, more than 30 years after their last release, with the new Unifics Return. Even though the current group includes only two of the original members, it is absolutely great hearing the Unifics again, and Unifics Return, a juicy slice of early 70s-style soul, is a fine vehicle for their return. The group sounds great on this mixed bag of original songs and remakes, with harmonies as tight as they were in the late 60s, and lead singer Al Johnson shows that he is still one of the smoothest singers in Soul.
The original material on Unifics Return, mostly written by Johnson, is similar in style to his 1999 album My Heart Is An Open Book and is generally quite strong, particularly the ballads. Especially notable are "Any One Can Tell You," "My One And Only," "Just As You Are" and the touching "Victims of 9/11." The great vocal performances are bogged down a bit at times by an overuse of electronic keyboards and programmed percussion (a clear sign of budget limitations), but are helped dramatically when added emphasis is put on Leo Nocentelli's guitar work (such as on "Just As You Are") or saxophone solos by David Wells ("My One And Only" and a remake of "What Becomes of a Brokenhearted"). For fans of smooth 60s soul, Unifics Return is a happy surprise and a memorable return of some unsung heroes of classic soul. Welcome back Unifics!
By Chris Rizik