Wow. We did it. Three new Deep Roots CDs were released earlier this week.

Maybe you were there. Maybe you saw the article in Wednesday's Oregonian newspaper. If you weren't so fortunate, please read on.

On Monday, we enjoyed a beautiful evening of music, art, dancing and fun at Roosevelt High School.

Led by lyricist Terrell Dixon, the crowd really got up and moved during Madgesdiq's performance of "Cosmic Bowling," the first track on the brand New CD compilation titled "Deep Roots: The St. Johns Poetry Sessions, Vol. 1."

Along with the 15 songs performed on the St. Johns Poetry Sessions CD, customers also received the Deep Roots Bonus Tracks CD featuring "iPOD" (Damarcus Chaney) and "High School" (Tara Markle). Soul P invited Egbevado on to the stage to perform with him, and the two wowed the crowd with their lyrical talent and positive energy with their tune called "Blacks Have Free Dreams Too.".

The good vibes continued to flow as Copacrescent, Keegan Smith and The Fam, and finally Funk Shui each took a turn at blowing us away with their lively four-song sets.

Among the guests spotted in the audience on Monday were 2007 musical particpants Ray Frazier and Raz, as well as Kat Nyberg, who took photographs for the initial Deep Roots CD project in 1998.

On Wednesday night, it was time to party it up at Reynolds CD Release Party for "Deep Roots 10: the troutdale poetry experiment." There were far too many past Deep Roots participants in the audience to list, but I did see Hans Huffman (Deep Roots 4 - 8), as well as Sara Mayhew (Deep Roots 4), Stephanie Jennings (Deep Roots 5.5), Raishawn Kairuz (Deep Roots 4), Tom Lundgren (Deep Roots 4), Shelley Holland (Deep Roots 4), Rhiannon Hurlbut (Deep Roots 7), and many, many others including long-time Deep Roots recording engineer Dave Fleschner. (If I missed someone, please let me know)

Jenn Dashney got us started with a beautiful set of acoustic tunes, then gave way to Scotland Barr and The Slow Drags, who among other songs performed "Ran You Over," which has lyrics by Cassie Shaw and is the first track on "Deep Roots 10."

Student performers Patience Murphy, Joe Spencer (along with his outstanding band of Reynolds students), and the Reynolds Hip-Hop Dance Team kept the crowd engaged and entertained during the heart of the show.

Northwest legend Duffy Bishop and friends put together a very memorable set to follow, including a spirited rendition of Morgan Wiles' "Waiting On Love."

Wednesday night reached its crescendo during the final three acts. Ben Fuller and his band (the band name is slipping my mind right now, sorry.) got people on the edge of their seats, and then Big Dumb Animals and Zeke Goodrick's band took turns getting the audience on its feet and filling the dance floor with a mob of crazed dancers to finish off the show with a bang.

Thanks so much to all who helped bring these events and CDs together.

Special thanks to Zeke Goodrick, who so ably ran the sound at both of this week's event and also performed a free promotional concert at Reynolds on Tuesday during he lunch hour.

The new "Soul Prints" literary magazine debuted Wednesday as well, and art by Kathleen McCullough and Katie Sullivan's students provided another amazing element to the evening. I'm working on getting some photographs of the student art to share in this blog. It was absolutley incredible and inspired.

Portland Music Company graciously provided the back-line equipment, and SAMEUNDERNEATH clothing was also an event sponsor.