Joe Cortez, born on October 13, 1943, in New York City, embarked on his journey in boxing long before earning acclaim as a respected referee. As a former amateur boxer boasting an impressive record of 43 wins and 2 losses, Cortez secured victory in six Golden Gloves tournaments before transitioning to the professional circuit in 1963, where he achieved an admirable 18-1 record before retiring in 1971.

Returning to New York in 1976 after residing in Puerto Rico, Cortez seamlessly transitioned into refereeing amateur matches. His impeccable judgment and commitment to fairness quickly garnered attention from the boxing elite. In 1982, he officiated his first world title bout, overseeing the electrifying clash between WBA junior welterweight champion Aaron Pryor and challenger Miguel Montilla, culminating in Pryor's victorious 12th round TKO.

Since then, Cortez has become one of the sport's most esteemed figures, presiding over more than 160 title bouts with characteristic poise and precision. Notable matchups in his portfolio include Tyson vs. Holmes, Duran vs. Barkley, and Bowe vs. Holyfield I, where he shared the ring with luminaries like James Toney, Naseem Hamed, and Bernard Hopkins, earning admiration from fighters and fans alike.

Known for his mantra of "Fair But Firm," Cortez's influence extends beyond the ring to the silver screen, where he has appeared as a referee in blockbuster films such as Rocky Balboa and Play It To The Bone. Today, we sit down with Joe Cortez to explore the highlights and challenges of his unparalleled career, reflecting on his enduring legacy and his unwavering dedication to the sport that has defined his life.

In a captivating interview with renowned author Richard C McNeff, we delved into the mysterious world of Aleister Crowley and his profound impact on modern musicians. McNeff's forthcoming book Aleister Crowley MI6: The Hess Solution spurred the way to exploring how the enigmatic figure of Crowley and his enduring influence on not just on music, resonate even today with icons like Jay Z, Ab Soul, David Bowie, Jimmy Page, Damon Albarn, and more.

Aleister Crowley, often referred to as "The Great Beast," was a British occultist and mystic whose life and teachings have fascinated and perplexed generations. McNeff's in-depth research and exploration of Crowley's influence on key musicians unveils a deeper connection between the occultist's philosophies and the creative expression of some of the most celebrated musicians of our time.

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First broadcast on Chocolate-Radio.com.

My guest is the musician, singer/songwriter and producer Frank McComb. He has worked with Prince, Chaka Khan, Will Smith, Frankie Beverley, Phyllis Hyman and Patrice Rushen.

A series of political events prevented him from getting the major label recognition his contemporaries received, so Frank was determined to take charge of his own career.

Join me to hear the artists and music which have helped inform his life and career.