men's forum at Meechies

Jus Words Drop

Question Of The Day...What's Your Favorite Eddie Murphy Movie and What's The Best?

I have a friend and when ever we frame these debates we clarify..."Are we talking about the best or my favorite."

So today I'd like you to discuss...

A. What is your favorite Eddie Murphy Movie and why?

B What is The Best Eddie Murphy Movie and Why?

Question Of The Day...Who would you want to play you in your life story?

They are making a story about your life who play's you and why?


Who would absolutely not want to play you in a movie?

ACTS of POETRY

Committing Acts of Poetry by Joe Peace (and friends)

(Raymond)
I am looking for poets who will stand for something
more than some applause
who in the name of Paul Robeson, Harriet Tubman
And sacrifices made
Make sacrifices
For our children and set examples for generations to come

(Ti Kendrick Randall)
Poets who will stand with school children and spit
on the school yard
just so they can learn to express themselves
just so we can learn the words belonging only to childhood

(Naila Mattison-Jones)
Poets who will tell the truth
of the industry lies
and where real money is made
not by corner store pushers
but in board room deals...
Where cool heads
And intelligence prevails

(Raymond)
I am looking
I am listening
For people willing to Commit Acts Of Poetry
Who understand telling The TRUTH is a revolutionary act
Who know that speaking TRUTH to Power
Doesn't happen so much on the stage
as it happens in the Street

(Ti Kendrick Randall)
and for what it's worth - needs to happen at home
i am at home with poets who don't mind if their participles dangle
because their personal truths are heavy
truth unspoken often weighs on the mind
and if you're ready i will show you
show you truth

(Reynald Williams)
I’ll show you ACTS OF POETRY,
WHEN THE WORDS YOU SPEAK BECOME YOUR LIFSTYLE, YOUR WALK
LET YOUR ACTION BE HEARD,
GOD KNOWS NO MAN IS SIN FREE,
AND MY SOUL, HAS COMMITTED ACTS OF POETRY.
NOT WAITNG TO BE JUDGED
I COP A PLEA,TO COMMITTING ACTS OF POETRY,
ACCUSED OF MINDSTATE CHANGING...
UPLIFTING SPIRITS AND ATTEMPTED MURDER OF SATAN.
committing acts of poetry in God's name
living our lives inside the flames,
we are burning for change,
passion for life makes us write
words that gives insight
to what we can be
while committing acts of poetry.

(Ti Kendrick Randall)
i am watching
i am waiting
for poets who will commit heinous and resounding acts of poetry
like shotgun blasts heard 'round the world

(Raymond)
We came to tell you that this ain't just another
"venue"
we ain't just another "clique"
this is "serious business"
Taalam will tell you "This is God's Work"
This is not just another “Put Up Job”
We Committed to saving lives
We Committed to breaking chains

(Ti Kendrick Randall)
we committed to calling bullshit, bullshit.
we committed to applying ourselves to our craft
and getting the message to you
this is our life's mission...
our sole ambition
and we
we are hoping for
praying for
Poets who will post this post on their doors
Wear it as a mantra on their chest
Like a scarlet letter Guilty of committing acts of random poetry

(Raymond)
Guilty! Guilty of smiling and sharing some sunshine
when my hood seems buried in clouds
and content to party with ignorance
and drink to
the same ol same ol that's been wrong with my hood
for four generations deep
Guilty of writing random words of change
I’m guilty of putting positive ideas on post its
Breaking out in higher thoughts at bus stops
I copy
pages from The Isis Papers
and put them in the library and super market
in between the pages of Vibe and XXL

(Raymond Tyler)
See that boy over there
he was a certified gangster
who would kill anything
But his own ignorance
I put some Gil Scott Heron in his hand
laced him with some Last Poets...
And after some Amiri Baraka
He committed an ACT of POETRY called Love
And his kids ain’t been the same since

(Bob Geise)
The kids aren't the same
and don't have to embrace “being poor”
because God didn’t shine on them
The kids don’t have to wear bling
Now they shine for themselves

(Kathy Gordy-Mathis)
We've committed ACTS OF POETRY
We’ve Committed to sharing our voice with this world
it seems as our sparkling jewels are lost in space
but to those who actively listen
for those who actually pay attention to their surroundings, our jewels are beginning to glisten.

Lolita Waters as featured at Un Restricted Tuesday's

Last week Miss Lolita Waters did an outstanding job with Brian Johnson as our featured poet. Enjoy......

QUESTION of The Day! What's Your favorite Summer Movie This Year

I broke down and saw Star Trek last week. I had to say it was much better than I expected. I usually hate these TV series remakes but they got it so right!

So now I have to see The Hang Over but what has been your favorite summer movies this year and why?

Un Restricted Tuesday's Performance of Coin by Brian Johnson

If were not in the house you missed the Amy Winehouse T-Shirt Give-A-Way, we also handed out some free books and CD's. Most of all you missed featured performer Brian Johnson. This is a all too familiar story that reminds me of the prison toast style. It's called "Coin."

Un Restricted Tuesday's

If you are at least 18 and Good. Or have your parents permission. Come feel the heat at South Jersey's only adult and grown folk open mike! Un Restricted Tuesday's from 8pm to 10pm! At Shelock's Books and Cafe!

Can't Cut The Cable: 5 Things to know about True Blood before The Season 2 Premiere

5 Things you should know about True Blood before you the Season 2 Premiere

#5 this is probably the best thought out Vampire Show on TV (sorry Buffy and Angel fans)
Buffy and Angel are great shows but they don’t really add much to me.
True Blood builds on already established vampire lore and gives it fresh, real world , 21st Century sensibilities. For example the idea of synthetic blood making the need for vampires to hunt humans unnecessary. However in this “world” many times it’s the vampires who are stalked by the humans.
#4 Sookie Stackhouse is hot hot hot...
#3 There will be Blood, Sex and Violence
And when True Blood really kicks a$$ you get all three in the same scene.
#2 Don’t peak ahead...
TB definitely throws you some curves. From the introduction of other creatures. And a serial killer. If you peak ahead you’ll kick yourself because the surprises definitely pay off in the end.
#1 thing you should know before True Bloods season 2 premiere is that ...the black people in the show got problems. You have Lafeyette who is gay. Nothing wrong with that. Lafeyette is also a drug dealer. Then there’s Tara. Tara is beautiful. Her complexion is breath taking and her attitude is bizarre.
Her mom is a drunk until she goes to the fake exorcists. Then Tara’s mom kicks her out.
Things number One and One Half.
I’ll be blogging about True Blood here every week after the show.

Can't Cut The Cable: Nurse Jackie's Pilot

Nurse Jackie Pilot
Nurse Jackie airs Monday’s at 10:30am after Weeds on Showtime.
Let’s get to the good part first. Watch Nurse Jackie’s pilot episode. It is classic TV drama. It is Gun Smoke. It is Star Trek. It is The Twilight Zone! It is this show that used to be on HBO about mobsters in New Jersey that starred Eddie Falco as a house wife that always wined “Toooe-neeeee!”
I enjoyed “NJ” so much I am giving the grade first, A+!
In the opening scene Nurse Jackie played by “Carmela Soprano”... I mean Eddie Falco is telling a doctor to run a test on a patient. (I am literally saying to myself “I am loving this for the opposite reasons that I loved Scrubs.”) After the patient dies, Jackie tears into “Dr. Cooper” and clearly lets “Coop” and us know that this is real life where seconds can mean the difference between life or death. This is not Scrubs wear we can and should relate to each character.
God bless cable and Show Time because unlike other hospital shows Nurse Jackie is complex, diverse, and brought to the screen by people who want to tell quality stories. I am not the biggest fan of Nurse Jackie being only a half hour, however Nurse Jackie had no throw a way or filler scenes. Each scene supported the story arc as a whole. That I like.
As a fan of TV I enjoy quality and being sold authenticity. Nurse Jackie so far is not over the top on drama, does not feel the need to throw in a joke, and was a great view into the world of a nurse.
Although a totally different show N-J reminds me of Barney Miller or even Hill Street with its fly on the wall realism. Let’s hope that the next episode doesn’t snatch issues from the headlines as it base for stories each week. Though I love M.A.S.H I hope Nurse Jackie doesn’t get that preachy.
In closing...Eddie Falco acts within herself and stays true to her character. In doing so Miss Falco does an amazing job of carrying this solo vehicle. I know one former Emmy award winning mobster who should be proud because Falco shows the potential to be every bit the talent James Gandolfini is.
Doctor’s orders for Nurse Jackie- While I am sticking by the A plus I do have some concerns about Nurse Jackie. The way she manages her life under the influence of drugs she cops is a little disturbing. I personally always worry a bit when drug use is played out as a manageable evil or when recovery comes by the third act of a script. I think many people take their cue from real life and the idea that popping pills can make you more productive as long as you “manage it” is BS.
Later This Week: My top ten things you should know before you watch True Blood’s Season two premiere on Sunday.

Can't Cut The Cable: Weeds Season Five Premiere

Can’t Cut The Cable
A weekly (sometimes more) offering of opinion of what’s good on the box, satellite and basically non network TV. Feel free to offer your own comments, questions, suggestions, links, whatever will make this section better.
Starting in June “CCTC” will be a part of my radio shows on 91.7 FM and 96.1 FM as well.
Weeds Season Premiere 6/8 “Wonderful Wonderful”
Well the pot growing, middle age, mom, drug dealer is back and still funny. I really thought that by now Weeds would be getting stale but this show succeeds from cast members “knowing their roles.” Still I fear that the writers are close to going to the same sources of angst, drama and last second heroics one too many times. By now Nancy B. should be dead, arrested or move to Jamaica where growing pot is legal.
In the first episode of this the 5th season, Celia’s been kidnapped and her friends want her back like people in Mexico want another Swine Flu outbreak. As usual Nancy’s kids want to do what she does, sell pot. Matter of fact Shane is dealing now at his middle school. Nancy wants them to be...she hasn’t said...just not like her.
The best part of the first show was seeing how cold Nancy is treated while being ordered to take a DNA test. You think maybe she understands that selling weed may not be the best way to make a living? Still this is a woman who has burned down her own home and snitched on some gangsters.
Next week Nancy meets up with one of her former gang members who tells Nancy that she’s the rat.
Over all a solid premiere. More of what we like from Weeds. Funny enough to forgive not enough change. And thankfully not trying to change just for the sake of being different.
As a man who doesn’t use drugs but who has been addicted to WEEDS for five seasons I’m giving this episode B+.
After Effects of Weeds-I like the fact that last season Weeds kind of tipped its hat to The Sopranos as much as a comedy can. From what I’ve seen of this year I think the writers kind of gave some props to The Wire...or maybe it’s just what I want to believe. Either way I could watch this episode again and I am looking forward to next week.

The Alternative Soul Summer Tour On The Boardwalk 5-25-2009

Yesterday on the boardwalk was INCREDIBLE. Barbara Sheree put on a show that was one of the best out door concerts to hit AC ever. Don't believe me? As it rained people ran under the boardwalk hall concrete awning and the shelter behind the Kennedy Plaza Stage to hear the rest of set. Ask some of the people who stood in line for 45 minutes to BUY a CD and get an autograph. After her set as her band continued to rock the boardwalk Watch the video of this cover of "Say Yes."

The Alternative Soul Tour and Special Events

The Alternative Soul Breakfast Club Event Calander.

There’s only one radio show that is dedicated to helping artists of all mediums. It’s still The Alternative Soul Breakfast Club, proudly celebrating a successful first year on 96.1 WTTH FM (and almost five straight years on South Jersey radio.
This year we also celebrate The Alternative Soul Summer Tour 2. Please review our special events. Come out and PLEASE ALSO SUPPORT THE ARTISTS!

SPECIAL EVENTS And TOUR INFO
Twilight Zone 50th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday July 19th at 2pm to 6pm at The Moon Stone Art Center (Formerly Robin’s Book Store) in Philadelphia. (www.moonstoneartscenter.org)
Invited guests and performers include L.A Banks, Eric Battle, Eware Osayunde, and more.
$5 Donation requested
For more info and daily updates go to www.thefictionandsciencejournal.blogspot.com to volunteer for a panel, a discussion or anything please email Ray at thefictionandsciencejournal@gmail.com

The Alternative Soul Summer Jam
Saturday August 1st from 8pm to 10pm
At Dante Hall in Atlantic City (www.dantehall.org)
A night of top Alternative Soul Talent from Jersey, Philly and New York! Already confirmed Michelle Moseley, Elle and Def Poetry Jam’s Shanelle Gabriel!
Raymond Tyler AKA DJ Trouble Man on the turntables blasting The Old School Flava in Ya Ear!
Do Not Miss The Pre-Show with The Atlantic City Performing Arts Workshop! And more! At 6:30pm!
Tickets for adults $10 kids $5 every $15 at the door
Full Page Program ads start at $50!
For more info log on to www.alternativesoul2009.blogspot.com

The Summer Alternative Soul Jam! Sat August 1st At Dante Hall in Atlantic City

96.1 FM WTTH The Touch and The Alternative Soul Breakfast Club
are proud to announce
The Summer Alternative Soul Jam Concert!
Live from Dante Hall
From 8pm to 10pm see and hear your favorite Alternative Soul Artists
like Elle singing her hit Understanding
Spoken Word artists Michelle Mosely performing her hit I Prayed for You
more artists to be announced.

Come early for the Pre-Show and stay after each performance to buy CD’s and or book’s from the artists.
Tickets $15 at The Door.
$10 adults
$5 children older and under.
For more info please call 609-816-5589 and check out www.alternativesoul2009.blogspot.com

The Alternative Soul Live At Dante Hall Saturday August 1st

The Alternative Soul Breakfast Club Summer Tour announces
Alternative Soul at Dante Hall Theater for The Performing Arts!

Saturday Night August First 8pm!
Alternative Soul rolls into Atlantic City’s Dante Hall
The Breakfast Club is Live On Stage

Adult Tickets $10 In Advance..$15 at The Door
Kids 12 and under $5

The Night Will Include:

Live DJ
Spoken Word Performers
Poets
Live Music and More!

For more info please contact Raymond Tyler at 609-816-5589
Sundaybreakfastclub@gmail.com

The East Coast Black Age Of Comic

Saturday March 16th!
The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention is coming to Philadelphia!
Though this is a celebration of African-American and other minority contributions to Sci-Fi, all are encouraged to attend.

You can win free tickets to this convention, plus a super value pack with a t-shirt and comics courtesy of ECBACC by listening to The Breakfast Club this Sunday from 7am to 8am. In the South Jersey and AC area please tune your radio to 96.1 FM WTTH THE Touch! Outside of the area, please listen online at www.961wtth.com.

Also at the Black Age of Comics Con, I will be there with some of my new reporters for The Breakfast Club!

Raymond Tyler

JOIN ME! Tues May 12th for LAST NIGHT AT THE FIVE SPOT

Reelblack Unveils “Last Night At The Five Spot,” A Feature Length Concert Film Featuring Philly’s Hottest Soul Musical Acts At International House on May 12.





Philadelphia, PA April 27, 2009 – Award-winning filmmaker Mike D. has established a reputation for documenting the music and cultural lives of Philly artists through projects like Jazzyfatnastees: In Process and Ursula Rucker: Poet. On Tuesday May 12, 2009, he will offer the public a chance to experience a special work-in-progress screening of LAST NIGHT AT THE FIVE SPOT, a feature length concert film featuring Kindred The Family Soul, Jazzyfatnastees, Lady Alma, Carol Riddick, Jazmine Sullivan, Floetry, Jeff Bradshaw, Curt Chambers and D. Ryva Parker. This one night only screening will take place at International House’s recently renovated Ibrahim Theater, 3701 Chestnut Street in University City on Tuesday May 12, 2009 at 7pm. Tickets are just $10 andmay be purchased in advance through www.ihousephilly.org. For more info visit www.reelblack.com



Most of the musicians showcased in the film first gained notice through The Black Lily, a weekly live music series that took place at The Five Spot in Old City from 2000 to 2005. Founded by Mercedes Martinez and Tracey Moore of the Jazzyfatnastees, The Black Lily had officially ended and many of its artists reached nationwide fame when Aja and Fatin Dantzler of Philly’s Kindred The Family Soul put out a call for all “Black Lily All-Stars” to perform at the venue once more in celebration of their 8 year wedding anniversary on September 19, 2006. The result was an once-in-a-lifetime gathering of this generation’s brightest Philly Soul artists. Mike D and his partner, Daryl DeBrest (of Reelblack / Captured Soul) assembled a five person camera crew and professional sound team to capture the night’s event.



From these recordings, a feature-length concert film has been assembled. A rough cut will screen on May 12, 2009 at 7pm. Based on crowd response and viewer feedback, the footage will be re-edited and augmented with interviews to provide the foundation for a full-length as-yet-untitled oral history on the history of Philly Soul circa 1997-2007 that will premiere at major film festivals beginning in 2010.

Ernie Barnes by Raymond Tyler

Ernie Barnes the artists who painted brilliant and art changing pieces for Marvin Gaye and the TV Show Good Times has passed according to BlackAmericaweb.com.

I remember sitting and watching these images Mr. Barnes created of Black people living these super animated lives on canvass as I watched Good Times. I myself was already drawing. However, when I saw "JJ" holding up a piece of Mr. Barne's work, it changed me and my approach.

From then on I was less concerned with making everything in my drawings "look real."

I was more concerned now with telling stories with my pictures and conveying emotion.

When I piered at Mr. Barnes'painting even through TV (which in 1976 was decades away from HD and sometimes in Black and White...)I could see the story of kids playing ball on a hot day and feel the heat,hear the ball, experience the rush of bodies passing by to score. Every one of Mr.Barne's paintings that I have seen has spoken to me, the people and sometimes even the objects like bences and signs tell me a story.

That my friends is art.

For those of you who keep stats. Ernie Barnes was born in Durham, NC in July of 1938. He was a professional football player for The NY Titans, (My) San Diego Chargers and The Denver Broncos. His career continued on with out stop after Good Times and he was the Official Artists of The 1984 Summer Olympics (the first Olympic Games I followed.) In 2004 he was named The Sport Artist of the year. Also in 2004 he painted a commisioned piece for Kanye West called A Life Restored that was based on the accident which nearly killed West before Kanye's rise to fame.

Those are the stats. However you can never quantify any real man's life with a assortment of words and paragraph's no matter how skilled they are put together.

I will always dread this day because I was dreaming of the day when I would meet Mr. Barnes. I could show him something I created and he would politely wait until I was gone to laugh at me. That meeting will never happen in what we now know as life.

Still on a sunny day when I see kids at the park running and jumping...I will think of the long arm in the famous Barne's painting of the kid dunking. I will remember that life and art sometimes dance together for a short time. When that occurs people are blessed.

Mr. Barnes has been a true blessing in the dance that is my life.

God Bless Us All!

BOY II MEN At Resorts June 27th! Listen to The Breakfast Club and attend events for your chance to win tickets!

Only one radio show is giving tickets away and that is The Alternative Soul Breakfast Club! Shout out to Oscar who won tickets by attending the grand opening of North Side Catering!

Your next chance to win is Monday April 27th at The Planet Rose Lounge in The Tropicana! Join us for Alternative Soul Live from Atlantic City from 7pm to 10pm.
Aside from BIIM tickets we'll be giving away CD's by Barbara Sheree, $30 gift cards for Mechi's Boutique For Men and other surprises.

At approximating 9:30pm we're giving away tickets to BOYZ II MEN! You must be present to win.

Raymond Tyler
In the meantime. Click the link below to read my AC Weekly Interview with Wanya Morris from Boyz II Men from a few years ago!

http://www.acweekly.com/view.php?id=2654&issue_id=84

Welcome To The New Blog For The Alternative Soul Breakfast Club

Every Sunday Morning from 7am to 8am South Jersey has Breakfast with me.
You can too by tuning into 96.1 WTTH FM or by logging on to www.961wtth.com and hitting the listen live button.

We bring you classic soul like Stevie Wonder, Aretha franklin. Gladys Knight and sam Cooke.

We also have celebrity interviews! Ticket give-a-ways and other great prizes just for listening. And we have the Alternative Soul Live Events.

Keep checking back here for more info, pics, updates and so on.

Raymond Tyler