Not a lot of info on this one. It's a local Boston boogie modern soul track from 1985 featuring vocals by Michael Thomas.  It features some bumping synth bass and soulful vocals.

B Magic Operators - Summertime Girl

In keeping in step with our northern soul issue I'd like to announce the release of a new book on the northern soul scene called "Northern Soul Stories" compiled and written by Neil Rushton. The narrative of the book are accounts and eye witnesses form key clubs like Wigan Casino, Blackpool Mecca, The Torch and The Catacombs.

If you go to the Northern Soul Stories website you can pre-order yourself a hardcover copy and pick up a free unreleased 45 with tracks by Jackie Ross and Marvin Gaye.

If you've wondered how the Numero Group goes through the process of putting together their wonderful compilations lok no further than their own blog, Numero by the Numbers. It looks at the inner workings of putting together a compilation of lost recordings. Don't forget to check out their amazing photography/LP compilation, Light: On the South Side.

If you haven't heard of Mr. Peabody Records in Chicago you have to check them out. Mark Grusane and Mike Cole started collecting records years ago. After years of being rivals and sharing knowledge they finally got together and opened a store.  Check out this youtube doc on them and their rare records.

http://www.mrpeabodyrecords.com/

Mayer Hawthorne's real name is Andrew Cohen. Growing up in Ann Arbor influenced his love for Motown and his subsequent album, A Strange Arrangement on Stones Throw Records. Andrew plays most of the instruments as well as provding the soul drenched vocals for the album. Before putting toegether Mayer Hawthorne Andrew was in many hip hop groups including Athletic Mic League and the Lab Techs. Currently on tour in the U.S. you can check him at your local club.

http://www.stonesthrow.com/mayerhawthorne

What can one say about this sad day in music history. Specifically for us DJs this man has been a life saver. I don't think any DJ can honsetly say they have never played a Michael Jackson and most of us have to thank him personally for helping to start our dancefloors at one time or another.

Below is a great subtle and restraint remix "I Want You Back" by Arizonza DJ Z-Trip. So don't forget to play your deep cuts of Michael Jackson this weekend and thank MJ for the bodies moving on the floor.

I Want You Back - Jackson 5 Z-Trip Remix

This tight little track is brought to us by the Peoples Potential Unlimited boutique record label.  This 12" contains two great edits by Tom Noble from Lotusland Records.  Africa Bump is an unreleased record by Grupo Santa Cecilia.

Clips from Tom Noble's Africa Bump b/w Party Together

If you are in London on Saturday be sure to check out this awesome event called Sofrito.  Sofrito is a monthly night of DJs and Live music acroos the Tropical Spectrum as they say.  On May 23rd, Sofrito presents live performances from Karl Hector and the Malcouns, the new Nostaglia 77 project, the Skeleton.  Below explains more of what Sofrito is all about.

What is Sofrito? Sofrito is run by Hugo Mendez  Frankie Francis and, ably assisted by mysterious Mighty Crime Minister and the extra-talented poster-designer Lewis Heriz

Renowned for the legendary Tropical Warehouse parties in London’s East End, Sofrito has brought together musicians and artists from Ghana, Nigeria, Cuba, Venezuela and Colombia to celebrate the heaviest sounds from across the Tropical Spectrum.

Sofrito isn’t a worthy “world music” night, it’s somewhere to hear what is - in our opinion - some of the best dance music ever made.

As well as various Warehouse spaces in London and numerous guest spots around the globe, Sofrito events take place at the Jazz Café and Cargo in London. Guests have included Manu Dibango, the Poets of Rhythm, the Souljazz Orchestra, Quantic, Nickodemus and Nappy G (Turntables on the Hudson), Natural Self, Combinacion Atlantica, Nick the Record, Prince Fatty Soundsystem, Nostalgia 77 and many more…

Sofrito also encompasses the sought after “Sofrito Specials” 12″ singles and the ever-changing “Sofrito Allstars” band that has featured members of the Heliocentrics, Quantic Soul Orchestra, Saravah Soul, Osibisa and Boombaya - expect more gigs in 2009!

This boogie gem from Smith Whitaker and Company is extremely rare and expensive. All here for your listening pleasure.

Smith Whitaker and Company - Don't Play No Games with My Love

I discovered this great blog called Heavy in the Streets run by DJ Sorce-1 which features some great interviews with DJs and record collectors such as Cosmo Baker, Rich Medina, Mr. Supreme, and many others. I really dig these interviews because all of the questions involve their stories about digging for records. As you can manage there are some really interesting stories involving reocrds and unicorns. You'll have to read them to find out. DJ Sorce-1 will hopefully be writing some articles for us in the future as well.