A member of John Lee Hooker's road band, Paul Pena recorded this album in 1973, but it was shelved and never released. Now 27 years later he's been rediscovered and may get a well-deserved chance at stardom. One track you may find familiar is the original version of Steve Miller's "Jet Airliner." Pena is like a cross between Van Morrison and Lenny Kravitz, and plays a mean blues guitar. Although recorded in another era, New Train may be the best album released in 2000.

Nate Grover