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Overproof Sound System Biography |
The Overproof Sound system started its life in 1998
as a monthly reggae night called "Overproof" held at the Medicine bar in
Birmingham, England. The night was started by Different Drummer's Richard
Wittingham (Rockers Hi Fi) Adam Regan (Leftfoot) and Birmingham's dub duo
G.Corp. Since the seventies, reggae music in Birmingham had become ghettoized,
pushed out of city venues into illegal parties and split into genres. With
violence on the increase it was only the brave that would get to hear it.
The "Overproof" night was not only a way for those involved to escape the
recording studio and party but a way of bringing reggae back to the masses.
This was not a bashment or revives night. Not to be tied down to one genre
the music policy was anything reggae or reggae influenced. From old school
sixty's cuts to modern Dub and remix's. With its atmosphere of peace and
good vibes and a reputation for a happy mixed crowd the night soon grew
often bringing together 1500 regulars for what have now become legendery
parties. From the start, the microphone and DJ'ing duties were shared by
Ras-T-Weed (Rockers Hi Fi) and Juggla (Creation sound) over time percussion
was added in the form of The Mighty Magoo (Substance). |
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In 1999 a European promoter attended the club and so impressed with the
good spirit and almost tribal quality of the party he invited Overproof
over to Europe, thus giving birth to the "Overproof sound system". The sound
system has been touring constantly now since 1999 and has become a solid
core of five people Ras-T-Weed (Rockers Hi Fi), Juggla, Mighty Magoo, Stallion
(G.Corp.) and Jah Grizzly (G.Corp.). |
(G.Corp.).Having taken on three summers of festivals, twenty two date
tours and playing along side most of there reggae heroes, it was time to
record there own music project, at the start of 2002 the now legendary "Watch
what you put inna" E.P was recorded and despite distribution problems the
track went on to be, and still is a club anthem around the world. |
With this as inspiration in the early part of 2003 "Overproof" forced
a break from touring and encamped in the "Elephant House" the celebrated
headquarters of Birmingham's Dub miesters G.Corp. Under the production eye
of G.Corp, Overproof's first album "Nothing to proove" was written and recorded.
The album reflects the true spirit of both the original club night and the
sound systems live presence. Musical styles swing joyfully from the studio
one'ish "Get With It" through the blissful roots of " the Plea" to the cheeky |
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dance hall anthem "Long time". Kenijah Boothe son of reggae
legend Ken Boothe takes on Guest vocals on the soul stirring The Messenger
started his musical career as "Roland Xerox" with his 1987 release of "Mirror
Lover". Roland spent the next few years perfecting his craft as an M.C.
on the soundsystem known as Daddy Negus. The ninety's transported Xerox
to Jamaica as a recording artiste and it was here he met up with Luciano
"The Cabbala Man". Luciano did not see Xerox as a copier but as a deliverer
and using Roland's family name, christened him "Messenger Douglas". Back
in the U.K. The Messenger was introduced by a mutal friend to the "Elephanthouse" home of G. Corp and the Overproof Soundsystem. Whithin Minutes he was recording
tracks |
| Messenger
Douglas |
on G. Corp's forthcoming "Dub Plates from the Elephanthouse Vol. 3". Things
clicked and under his own steam Douglas made his way to Germany to join
the Overproof tour. From that night on there has not been a show without
him. Now truly part of the Overproof family he has made his presence felt
on the new Overproof recordings. |
Not ones for loafing around the rest of the crew have been
hard at it. Ras T-Weed has found time to tour with Richard Dorfmeister's
Tosca project and make appearnces both recorded and live with the Al Hacka
Soundsystem and Nuremburg's Boozoo Bajou. T-Weed has also released his own
single 'Fire Pon Gun" on Murry Man's "Mellow Vibes" label. He is now putting
together his own solo project. Juggla has also been out and about touring
with the mighty "Noise Shaper" and contributing the majority of the tracks
to thier new "Ruff Out There" LP. Messenger Douglas has released the first
10" on his own "Alphamix" label Two killer tunes "Share" and "Ting like
dat". The Overproof Soundsystem has added another new member in the Form
of Conrad Kelly. Conrad has spent years playing Drums and percussion with
the likes of Steel Pulse , Freddy McGregor , I Jahman Levi and many reggae
greats. His percussion and vocals adds a whole other Dimension to the new
overproof shows. |
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| Conrad
Kelly |
The Elephanthouse has been running red hot with the new Overproof LP.
just finished, it already includes s few real gems. There's a nod to the
German massive with a cover of Kraftwork's "The Model", a hip-hop anthem
in the form of "Youth Culture" and a few other real surprises... Watch this
space... |
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