Although we here at Wax Poetics are constantly digging into the past, we always keep a good ear tuned to today. It should come as no surprise then that Stones Throw’s Mayer Hawthorne made the cut for the MJ Issue. His much-anticipated debut LP, the Motown-influenced soul groover A Strange Arrangement, has been making some serious waves in the world of respected DJs, bloggers, and critics alike. So to celebrate the release of A Strange Arrangement and Mr. Hawthorne’s appearance inIssue #37, we’re giving away one copy of the “Maybe So, Maybe No” 12-inch signed by none other then the man himself. To win, all you have to do is correctly answer the following:

Mayer’s real name is Andrew Mayer Cohen. Where does his stage surname, “Hawthorne,” come from? 

As always, first correct answer wins, so get your response tocontest@waxpoetics.com now (winner will receive e-mail notification). For the total Mayer experience, download A Strange Arrangement now from Wax Poetics Digital, or pick up the vinyl from our storefront.

Up-and-coming remix maestros take note: The Magic Heart Genies (Myka 9 and JtheSarge) are running a remix competition around this week's free track, “Get Down High.” The winning producer will receive a trunk-load of MHG merch and an opportunity to have their remix featured on the upcoming album Cardiac Arrest! So first, download the original track here, then head over to the official Magic Heart Genies website to download the a cappella version. Once you’ve got your mix ready, submit it tojthesarge@gmail.com by October 15th to be eligible to win. So what are you waiting for? Grab the track and get to the lab!

The next time you head to the record fair, let us help stash that schwag with a brand new Wax Poetics Tote Bag. It’s the only way to rep your favorite publication while elbowing your way toward that next dusty crate. As a special bonus, we’re going to stuff the first five tote bags we sell with one free copy of the MJ Issue! And if you don’t make it into that premier customer quintet, get Issue #37 with a tote bag at a discount; part of our new Bag the Latest Issue bundle package.

If you don't know about PM Records yet, it's time to get familiar. They've got the keys to some seriously smooth offerings from Nina Simone, Elvin Jones, Open Sky, and more. One of their more notable acquisitions is the work of Latin-jazz fusion freaks Stone Alliance. The group recently reformed roughly forty years after they first came together, and thanks to PM, you can download their latest live recordings as well as their rare original LPs over at Wax Poetics Digital.