Paul Pena – Paul Pena

Different Strokes For Different Folks are delighted to release the first ever vinyl reissue of Paul Pena's sought-after self-titled album, first released in 1972. Incorporating a range of influences and genres, the album is an astonishing blend of strident bluesy funk, mid-tempo piano ballads, revolutionary soul and acoustic gospel hymns, all held together by Pena's deep, rich vocals and high-class songwriting. Opener, 'Woke Up This Morning' flips the well-worn blues expression into an uplifting, country soul anthem and it's immediately followed by the dirty funk of 'I'm Gonna Make It Alright' which comes on like a prime-time Meters. 'The River' shifts down a gear, locking down a mid tempo piano ballad in the vein of 'Exile'-era Stones. Throw in the politicised soul of 'Something To Make You Happy' and the gorgeous, string laden gospel of 'Lullaby' and you have a record that truly and authentically lives and breathes a variety of genres to stunning effect