Vinyl Paradise – Vinyl Paradise
Self-Release – 2024
12 tracks; 38 minutes
Further proof that the blues has no geographical limitations comes with the first album this reviewer has heard from a Maltese act. Vinyl Paradise is a trio, Ben Bailey on guitar and vocals, Antoine Tonna bass and Patrick Camilleri on drums, with backing vocals coming from Hannah and Amy Grech Pirotta. The album is an all-original effort (with all three musicians credited) and was recorded in Malta. This is the band’s debut release but they are currently working on a follow-up and have dates for summer 2026 at festivals in Romania and Canada, as well as touring in Europe and the UK. The debut is well recorded and clear and, as if to underline the band’s retro name, the three musicians are given left, right and center positions in the mix and the CD looks like a vinyl LP too!
The opener has dobro underneath the sparse rhythm section, the effect being quite an ‘old’ sound as Ben sings of “that Howlin’ Pain from long ago”. The next two tracks have more of a British 60’s Rn’B feel, especially in the ringing guitar solo in “Same Old Mistakes”. The band drops the pace for “Makin’ It Worse”, Ben interjecting a few guitar touches that bring Peter Green to mind before the band ups the pace again with Ben’s easy rhythm work and lead flourishes, the catchy song extolling the attractions of “Amsterdam”.
“Seventeen Suits” has a rockier feel, guitar ringing out and the rhythm section catching fire, the meaning of the strange title remaining elusive, though Ben does state that “it’s all about the numbers”; a very aggressive wah-wah feature towards the end underlines a heavier approach here. The dobro returns on the attractive “Easy On Me” in which Ben bids farewell to a relationship, things stay mellow on “Can’t Go On Another Day” which has elements of Steely Dan meeting Bobby Bland, another interesting cut with excellent guitar work and good harmonies and “Like Never Before” maintains the gentle feel with more of a pop feel.
The album closes with three uptempo tunes. The first has a funky feel as Ben tells his girl “Don’t Keep Me Waiting”, then he describes a femme fatale with the description “She’s A Gun”, apparently “one shot will stop your heart”. “Another Thing Coming” moves along well with plenty of strong rhythm work and a fine solo mid-tune finishing the album on a high point.
There is solid musicianship here, clear production values and a strong lead vocalist, plus this debut album has few excesses, making it a good listen.
