The MastanMusic Hour Episode 23 Parts 1 and 2
FEATURE - The Deep Roots Music Project Episode 23 Pt 1 features guest DJ Chris Gragg, founder and program director of The Deep Roots Music Project sharing some of the collaborative music from the newest Deep Roots CDs. Episode 23 Pt 2 features live from the studio, long time Deep Roots supporters, Funk Shui
The Deep Roots Music Project, founded in 1998, is committed to positively impacting the lives of young people by engaging them in an innovative, empowering, and sustainable writing program. This life-changing program enlists professional musicians, who draw on the awesome power of music and real-life experience as songwriters, to help students compose their own song lyrics and create their own music CDs. Deep Roots aims to help participants build strong communities, develop teamwork and project-planning skills, and become more enthusiastic, skilled writers who recognize the unlimited potential of their unique voices.
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The music on Episode 23, part one is brought to us by our guest DJ Chris Gragg, director of the Deep Roots Music Project and the songs are taken from the Roosevelt High School Project CD: St. Johns Poetry Sessions Vol. 1, and The Lincoln High School Project CD: Deep Roots 10. This years CD releases from The Deep Roots Music Project, Portland OR.
The Deep Roots Music Project is near and dear to the hearts of MastanMusic's Jeremy Wilson and Sam Densmore, both of whom have contributed their time and talent to this remarkable, and important project.
Music by RedRay Frazier, Lyrics by Brandy Vaughn
We start off the episode with a wonderful collaboration between musician RedRay Frazier , and student Brandy Vaughn. Here's what The Willamette Week magazine had to say about Frazier, May 10, 2007 "Frazier’s musical journey—from his youth spent in popular New York-based hip-hop/soul group Funky Poets to stints with the C+C Music Factory-produced Brat Pack and the critically acclaimed Mosaic—has lasted nearly 20 years and covered a lot of territory. But, with the release of Follow Me, the now-30-something singer-songwriter has truly come into his own. Communicating in a language perfected by such varying influences as Otis Redding, Nina Simone and John Lennon, Frazier possesses the innate ability to cut to the musical chase. Like an old friend standing at your side, hand firmly on your shoulder while whispering in your ear, Frazier’s music speaks clearly to the heart and soul."
Music by Funk Shui, Lyrics by Jordan Fox
In the words of Willamette Week: "Funk
Shui drops goofball classic-funk chops...." Funk Shui formed at an open funk jam at the Biddy McGraw’s Irish Pub back in 1999. The band consists of former Treefrogs rhythm section with John Henry Bourke aka JHBUSA on guitar & vocals, Jeff Duffy "The Crusher" on the drums, Rob Matthews "Captain Lone Wolf" on sax, vocals, flute and percussion, Sean aka The SHAG Nowland slapping the Bass, vocals, David Langenes on guitar & vocals, and Gavi Detarr on trumpet!
Music by Madgesdiq, Lyrics by Terrel Dixon
Unveiling the truths about himself and the world we live in, Madgesdiq offers a gift of uplifting and powerful thoughts enveloped in a message of purpose, passion, positivity, love, and freedom. His versatility as an artist allows him to express himself through poetry, book, or song. Regardless of the medium used, he is sure to penetrate the soul of the reader/listener. Madgesdiq first began his artistic endeavors as a musician in 1999. Since then, the conscious hip-hop artist has independently released two successful albums.
Music by Copacrescent, Lyrics by Cathy Boun-Nharith
Recent transplants from the East Coast to Portland OR, Copacrescent includes Dan DiResta on
guitar, Chaucer Barnes on microphone, Chris Ponti on bass and Rod
Nightingale on drums. The group plays live hip-hop, infused with
everything under the sun.
Music by Scotland Barr, Lyrics by Cassie Shaw
Scotland Barr and The Slow Drags deliver "music that punches the heart like a fist with brass knuckles... hits all the right chords with powerful, painful and beautiful accuracy." (The Oregonian)
Barr’s whisky-soaked vocals and emotionally incisive songwriting sit front and center, flanked by a 6 piece outfit that can deliver weepy grooves, jangly tin-pan alley pop, suicidal ballads, garage rock, grinding two-steps and near psychedelic opuses.
Music by Melao de Cana, Lyrics by Asusena Hernandez
Melao de Cana is one of many projects by Cuban-born percussionist, Virginia Lopez, who has been teaching and playing Cuban music in Portland for years.
"Two guitars, sax and trumpet, bass and drums, wacky song writing, jams that at times truly take off into orbit - these are the hallmarks of the Funk Shui experience"
Jeff Rosenberg, Willamette Week
Read more about Funk Shui in Episode 23 Part One.
Funk Shui has been supportive of the deep Roots Music Project since it started. There song is on the Roosevelt High School CD- ST. Johns Poetry Sessions, Vol. 1 (The first CD for the Roosevelt program.) The Reynolds program is in its 10th year.
Since 2000, Funk Shui (pronounced FUNK SHWAY) bring high energy funk and rock to the masses. Originally a side project for a rotating group of session players, Funk Shui became the house band at Biddy McGraws, performing every other Friday night for the last 6 years. With the release of their 2002 CD GIANT SIZED MASTERS OF FUNK SHUI, the band began playing shows in venues and music festivals throughout the Northwest.
MMHour 23 Part 2 Funk Shui band members are:
Jeff Duffy: drums
Sean Nowland: bass, vocals
John Henry Bourke: guitar, vocals
Gavi Detarr: trumpet, vocals
Special Guests
Fred Stephenson: lead guitar
Natalie Doyle: vocals
Funk Shui Members Not Present
David Langenes: lead guitar, vocals
Rob Matthews: saxophone, flute, vocals
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MastanMusic Hour - Episode 23 - Part 1
