The Soundtrack Chronicles with Diane Hinds

Introducing Ashley Scott, a musical force hailing from the vibrant city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the echoes of soul and rhythm infuse the air. With globally chart-topping singles under his belt, Ashley stands as a powerhouse vocalist whose artistry transcends genres and captivates audiences worldwide.

From his early years, Ashley's destiny was intertwined with music, influenced by his aunt, Helen Scott of The Three Degrees and The Delfonics. This familial connection ignited a passion that would shape his journey as a genre-defying artist.

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.

Welcome, music enthusiasts, to another captivating episode of Diane Hinds' "The Soundtrack Chronicles" series, on Solar Radio, where I delve into the musical journeys that have shaped the lives and careers of extraordinary artists. Today, I am honoured to feature Barb Jungr, a true luminary in the world of music.

With a remarkable 45-year recording career, Barb stands as a multifaceted artist, celebrated for her prowess as a performer, writer, composer, and lyricist.Renowned for her exceptional talents, Barb Jungr's profound and passionate interpretive style has garnered critical acclaim, with the New York Times hailing her performances as "revelatory." Boasting 18 solo albums, many released through Linn Records, her work has not only received exceptional reviews but has also earned her numerous awards worldwide.

In 2011, Barb's achievements were recognised with the New York Nightlife Award for Outstanding Cabaret Vocalist, the Backstage Bistro Award for Best International Artist, and Time Out New York's prestigious acknowledgment as the #1 Top Live Cabaret Act. Her distinctive singing style defies easy categorisation, earning her comparisons like "It's as if Edith Piaf and Nick Cave had a lovechild who was adopted by Carmen McCrae," as aptly put by Glam Adelaide.

Her latest album, "My Marquee," released in June 2023, adds another chapter to her illustrious career, preceded by a live EP of Leonard Cohen songs titled "Bob, Brel, and Me" in November 2022. Jungr's unique talent extends to reinterpreting the songbooks of legendary artists like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone, and Jacques Brel, shaping what has come to be known as the New American Songbook.

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.

This video doesn't contain music. To hear episode with music search for the same title, audio only.

Today's interview is slightly different from normal since the author Richard C McNeff's book "Aleister Crowley MI6: The Hess Solution" is a fictionalised story based on Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), a highly influential British occultist, writer, and ceremonial magician. He is best known for his involvement in various esoteric and mystical practices, including Thelema, a spiritual philosophy and religious movement that he founded. Crowley's life and teachings continue to inspire fascination and controversy even after his death. His influence extends to musicians such as Jay Z, Ab Soul, David Bowie, Jimmy Paige, Billie Eillish and many more. We touch on just a few of some of the artists featuring or inspired by him.

One of the hardest working women in music. My guest today is the lovely Paulette McWilliams whose resume reads like a Who's Who in music. Join me as I discover the music which has informed her life and career. And, I ask her a very cheeky questions. Want to know what it is? Tune in.

Today’s guest is the multi-award winning hairdresser and entrepreneur from the Afrotherapy salon.  Her story is one of admiration.  A challenging up-bringing, separated from her mother, selling goods before school here in the UK aged 14 and educating herself alongside home schooling her children, hers is a story of determination and self improvement.

This week's conversation was originally broadcast on chocolate-radio.com on the 29th March, 2023.

I'm joined by the acerbic writer, broadcaster and journalist Garry Bushell of the Sunday Express. I learn about which track introduced him to Ska, life on the road with Ozzy Osbourne and his gesture to his mother who predicted he would one day write for Fleet Street.

First broadcast on Chocolate-radio.com on the 25th January 2023.

When I invite people to participate in my feature interview series "The Music: My Life", I'm quite often surprised when they agree as it's no easy feat recalling the six tracks that have impacted their life and career.  Too many choices to whittle down and too many stories to recollect.

My guest is Chris Rizik from SoulTracks.com who was such an entertaining guest that the interview proved challenging to edit and pull together.  The youngest of seven children, his mother was an opera singer, his father an entrepreneur.  The birth of SoulTracks.com is fascinating.

Originally broadcast on Chocolate-Radio.com on the 18th January 2023.

Today I chat with one half of the British songwriting duo LoveSmith.  The duo has written seven tracks on the debut album Forward Motion by the international soul/funk ensemble Output/Input.

Mark began writing only five years ago, so I'm eager to learn which tracks and artists have helped inform his life and career.