Title: Paul Pena
Artist: Paul Pena
Label: Proper Records Uk
Product Type: VINYL LP
UPC: 5056868106571
Genre: Soul/R & B
Release Date: 2026-05-22
Number of Discs: 1
Additional Details: UNITED KINGDOM – IMPORT

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

Tracks:
1.1 Woke Up This Morning
1.2 I’m Gonna Make It Alright
1.3 The River
1.4 One for the Lonely
1.5 Something to Make You Happy
1.6 My Adorable One
1.7 When I’m Gone
1.8 Lullaby