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.

Originally broadcast on Chocolate-radio.com, Diane Hinds discusses with the British Ambassador of Soul key tracks by Aretha Franklin that have previously been unheard or released. David takes the listener on a journey of discovery through out the Queen of Soul's extra-ordinary recording career.

First broadcast on Chocolate-Radio.com.

For my next show @FrancescaForte returns with The Arts Salon and my very special guest is the hypnotherapist, CBT and NLP practitioner Sharon Stiles, and we’ll be exploring #anxiety related to lockdown easing from the 19th July and #confidence.

Sharon will explain quick techniques to handle forms of anxiety and outlines best practice to take the fear out of returning to office work, the commute and managing colleagues.

Sharon has very kindly provided some links which relate to this episode of Wednesday Afternoons with Diane Hinds:

• Physical ways to reduce anxiety: https://www.sharonstiles.co.uk/blog/physical-ways-to-reduce-anxiety.asp
• This one was written at the start of the outbreak but all the advice is relevant to any anxious time: https://www.sharonstiles.co.uk/blog/reduce-anxiety-coronavirus.asp
• This is a video that explains the wrist rubbing and breathing - again Covid related but relevant any time: https://www.sharonstiles.co.uk/blog/2-quick-anxiety-reduction-tips.asp
• Alternatively, (knowing I love to shower people with information!) this link shows all the blogs related to anxiety and the 2 I have listed above appear at the top: https://www.sharonstiles.co.uk/blog/pag.asp?a=Anxiety
• This one gives tips on creating self hypnosis suggestions: https://www.sharonstiles.co.uk/blog/basic-self-hypnosis-visualisation.asp
• This is the page about EFT: https://www.sharonstiles.co.uk/whatismet.asp

There will be more great music and you can even tell me what you’d like the theme of the show to be, now that #Euro2020 is over.

Get in touch by emailing: dianehinds@chocolate-radio.com, or text 88440. Make sure you add ‘Soul’ before your message, so that it comes through!

You can also go to chocolate-radio.com, download the app and contact the on-air presenter directly.

My guest today is Dilys Sillah. A Transformational Life Coach, specialising in grief, emotional independence, marriage and relationship coaching. She also offers Spirit led Christian coaching and is a Minister. She is a TEDx and international speaker, founder of the former charity, ‘Who Will Hear My ‘Cry (WWHMC) U.K. and Ghana - that raised awareness on rape, child abuse and domestic violence; is a keen women and children’s advocate and author of the bestselling book, ‘Not This Widow – A Journey Of Grief: Love, Loss, Strength and Survival.

PG rated.

Chocolate-Radio.com

#counselling #writing #music

This Saturday, my next guest on The Music: My Life is the handsome Rusty Hamilton. From growing up in South Central LA to attending school with members of the Jackson family, we learn about the music that has informed this self-titled “Scientist of Sound”, who has been Music Director for the likes of Kool and the Gang, KC And The Sunshine Band, Barry White and what he is owed by BabyFace, and it’s not money.

My guest is Habaka, the 2019 Black Music Award recipient of 'Best Performer', jazz, Las Vegas. She is also known as the Panther of Cremona. It was unavoidable, following in the family’s footsteps as a singer/songwriter. The family’s heritage is steeped in music. Her grandfather Jeri Jackson was a pianist and promoter, grand mother Irene Jackson a dancer and her mother Mary Ann Jackson a dancer and jazz vocalist. Her own father Melvin Jackson was band leader to Bobby Bluebland for 10 years and saxophonist to BB King for more than a decade. Music was in her blood.

Her early life was spent on tour with a cabaret and aged 11 her mother declined an invitation for her child to join the legendary Alvin Ailey Dance troupe and at the age of 13 Habaka spent three years in a psychiatric hospital; a major turning point in her life and faith.

Find out how this talented musician over came the feeling that she was ‘singing the devil’s music’ to now appreciating how the music she sings, has a message and how her faith, discovered aged 7, has never failed her.