Biography
General Caine, later known as General Kane, was an American music group fronted by Mitch McDowell. Born Mitchell Leon McDowell on June 29, 1954, in San Bernardino, California, McDowell formed the group after leaving military school. Initially, he was part of the group Booty People, which released one album for MCA Records. General Caine signed with Groove Time Records in 1978 and released two albums: Let Me In (1978) and Get Down Attack (1980). The group later moved to Tabu Records, releasing Girls (1982), featuring the hit song 'For Lovers Only', and Dangerous (1983). In the mid-1980s, the group changed its name to General Kane and signed with Motown Records, releasing In Full Chill (1986) and Wide Open (1987). Mitch McDowell pursued a career in law enforcement after leaving music and was tragically murdered in January 1992. General Caine's music style was deeply rooted in funk, with influences from soul and R&B. Their legacy includes carrying the P-Funk vibe, especially in their album Girls, which featured collaborations with P-Funk members like Dawn, Fred, Maceo, Ray, and Kevin Goins. The group's music often reflected contemporary themes, such as drug addiction in 'Crack Killed Applejack'. Despite their contributions to the funk genre, General Caine's later work was marked by a shift towards more mellow sounds without losing their rap influences.
Fun Facts
- General Caine's music was briefly associated with the P-Funk vibe, particularly in their album Girls.
- The group's name change to General Kane in the mid-1980s marked a shift in their sound and lineup.
- Mitch McDowell pursued a career as a bail bondsman after leaving the music industry.
- General Caine's 'For Lovers Only' was used as a theme song for a late-night segment on radio station 93.1 FM WZAK in Cleveland.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Officer at Military School - Supported McDowell's artistic ambitions (None specified) [Pre-1978]
Key Collaborators
- Johnny Guitar Carson - Songwriting and production (Dangerous) [Early 1980s]
- P-Funk members (Dawn, Fred, Maceo, Ray, Kevin Goins) - Featured on the album Girls (Girls) [1982]
Artists Influenced
- None documented - No specific artists influenced by General Caine are documented (None) [None]
Source: Wikipedia
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous | 1983-05-06 | Album |
| Girls | 1982-08-09 | Album |
| The Best of General Caine- Pure Funk | 1993 | Album |
| Let Me In | 1978 | Album |
| Dangerous (Tabu Expanded Edition) | 2013-11-11 | Album |
| Girls (Tabu Re-Born Expanded Edition) | 1982 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Get Closer (Dangerous)
- Yellow Pages (Dangerous)
- For Lovers Only (Girls)
- Girls (Girls)
- LRJ Pop (Get Down Attack)
- By My Side (Dangerous)
- Pop (The Best of General Caine- Pure Funk)
- Ooh Aah (Dangerous)
- Bomb Belly (Dangerous)
- Don't Stop (Girls)
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
General Caine has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2025 | 20:20 | Just in Timefrom General Caine | Soul Powerw/ Soul Sister |