Jamie Principle is a Chicago-born house music producer and vocalist, also known as Byron Walton. He is associated with Chicago house and house, and is linked with the group The 312.

Career

Principle begins to appear on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the early 1990s. One of his chart entries is “Cold World”, a dance hit that he records with Steve “Silk” Hurley and which reaches No. 22. He also reaches No. 1 on the US dance chart in 2004 with “Bac N Da Day”, a collaboration with Frankie Knuckles.

Early house recordings

His 1985 track “Your Love”, made with Frankie Knuckles, becomes one of the key early house records. It is described as a stripped-down disco track that circulates in Chicago’s underground scene through copied tapes rather than a vinyl release. Other classic early recordings include “Waiting On My Angel” and “Baby Wants To Ride”. “Baby Wants To Ride” gives him a long-delayed hit, although a very similar version appears at the same time from Frankie Knuckles.

Style and later releases

Principle is known for a breathy vocal style compared with Smokey Robinson. After “Rebels”, he has a long period away from the main dance charts, with later appearances including “Date With The Rain” on a Steve “Silk” Hurley compilation and “You're All I’ve Waited 4”, which he writes and co-produces with Hurley. He also has a brief release period with Atlantic Records.