Song of the Day: Marvin Gaye “Ain’t That Peculiar” (DJ Ferno Remix)

It’s that time of the year where I’ve got to stock my crates with all the new joints I can find that fit sunny rooftop gigs with mild spring breezes. This little Marvin Gaye rinse from Philly’s DJ Ferno is right in that feel good, warm weather pocket. I’ve already tested it by cranking it while driving around on back to back 80 degree days with the sunroof open and it got me right.

DJ Ferno is part of DJ Jazzy Jeff’s sprawling camp of talented collaborators and some of The PLAYlist all-stars make an appearance on this jam. One characteristic that unites that large, diverse crew is creating work that connects the past, present and future of soul music and this track is a prime example.

Originally appearing on Gaye’s 1966 Moods of Marvin Gaye album, the “Ain’t That Peculiar” has the straight ahead DNA of the iconic backbeat of Motown’s early years. You can hear the phrasing of the song’s co-writer Smokey Robinson in the vocal. DJ Ferno grabs a couple key samples of that vocal as a base but then cooks up a bubbling nu-disco groove with swirling synths carrying the bop along courtesy of James Poyser on keyboards. Anthony DeCarlo’s guitar solo puts the exclamation point on a track that could otherwise just chug on indefinitely in a perfect two-step pocket.