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There's no stale soul on this DJ's weekly radio show
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Every soul needs something fresh every now and then. Raymond Tyler is here to provide it.
Tyler's known for playing unsigned and underground music along with rare and alternative tracks from contemporary artists and songs from R&B and soul legends during his radio show, "The Alternative Soul Breakfast Club," which airs from 7 to 8 a.m. Sundays on WTTH-FM 96.1.
During a recent show, listeners heard the music of two independent artists - self-taught musician and singer Teau Johnson from this state and singer and poet Shanelle Gabriel, of Brooklyn, N.Y. These artists are not normally played on commercial R&B radio stations.
"People of color, who are over age 25, still want to hear new music," said Tyler, 40, of Atlantic City. "My show is the only opportunity they will have to hear new music supported by classic soul."
Tyler brings the mindset of a hip-hop DJ to his show preparation. He tries to find quality, but lesser-known artists, and play their music before anyone else.
"I get excited when I find somebody good," said Tyler, who used to regularly attend talent showcases in Atlantic City, Philadelphia and New York. "On the Internet, I go to MySpace and find incredible artists from all over the world. On MySpace, there a lot of white groups that do funk, black groups that do rock 'n' roll and everything in between."
Devotees of Tyler's show heard singers Chrisette Michele and Jazmine Sullivan before they started receiving regular commercial airplay.
"Alternative Soul" started in 2005 at WJSE-FM 102.7 and lasted for six months before moving for three years to Richard Stockton College in Galloway Township. On WJSE, the show featured more of a rock edge and was meant to break the stereotype that black people and other minorities don't listen to rock bands such as the Rolling Stones or Yes.
Besides the Internet and unknown artists, Tyler's connection with music producers and songwriters and executives at independent labels gives him access to music other stations don't have or choose not to play.
During a recent show, Tyler played vocalist Jill Scott singing a remake of "Lovely Day," a Top 40 pop hit for Bill Withers in 1977.
Music producer Darren Henson, a Pleasantville High School graduate, sent Tyler the exclusive recording, which has never been released. Henson, who has known Tyler for years, worked with Scott, Floetry and rapper Will Smith among others.
"He has an appreciation for acts that don't get the major push, and he doesn't overlook them," Henson said.
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Posted in Life on Sunday, June 21, 2009 5:45 am Updated: 7:09 am.
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