Caveman - I’m Ready 1991

Caveman - Streetlife (The Principle Remix) 1992

The Principle feat. Silent Eclipse - Reality 1993

Chances are, if you’re not familiar with largely forgotten UK crew Caveman, you have never heard of a hip-hop producer named The Principle. In 1991 the trio released a classic slice of European hip-hop (if underappreciated in its country of origin) called “Positive Reaction.” All tracks were cooked up by The Principle, who did a superb job with thick funk- and jazz-based grooves that still offered enough elbow room for young gun MCM to manoeuver through with uplifting lyrics delivered in a vocal tone reminiscent of New Yorkers D-Nice or Master Ace. The pumping “Victory (Remix)” which lead the chase was their “Fight the Power,” while mellow compositions like “Cool (Cos I Don’t Get Upset)” and “Desmond” offered a break from the more uptempo tracks. Not to forget the “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got”-sampling instrumental “The Dope Department” or the epic “Introduction to a Caveman.” The most surprising sample selection came in the form of the anthemic “I’m Ready,” which made compelling use of Jimi Hendrix‘ “Crosstown Traffic.” While Caveman didn’t make any major noise in the US despite being signed to Profile Records, The Principle got to remix Black Sheep’s “Try Counting Sheep” for their 1991 single of the same name.

Caveman’s musical approach deviated somewhat from the radically hardcore attitude of their countrymen, without embracing pop aspirations. But in 1992 they came back distinctly harder with the sophomore “The Whole Nine Yards… And Then Some.” For some reason, however, The Principle seemed to be in the process of leaving the group, contributing only two productions to the album, both undertitled as ‘The Principle Remix.’ “Streetlife (The Principle Remix)” set the bar high with an incredibly dense rhythm section illuminated by jazzy horns and a discrete Crusaders vocal sample.

The Principle re-surfaced in 1993 with a remix for Run-DMC’s “Ooh, Whatcha Gonna Do” and in the same year even released an EP under his own name featuring rapper Silent Eclipse AKA MCD (who unlike MCM was not afraid to rap in a British accent). “Reality,” extensively sampling Guru and KRS-One, is in my memory one of the last moments when political rap and funky beats formed a perfect marriage. Sadly, it was also the last time I heard from The Principle. According to one internet forum he became a devoted Muslim and burned all of his records. Now there’s a way to go out as a hip-hop producer.

The Principle on discogs

“Positive Reaction” write-up at RapReviews.com