Malta isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think “Blues capital of the world.”

No, rather, it’s a sun-baked speck in the middle of the Mediterranean — three main islands, stone alleys, and centuries of history crammed into 316 square kilometers. But if you know where to look, the blues have a way of finding you, even here.

And sometimes, it comes roaring back out — louder, tighter, and hungrier than you expected. That’s Vinyl Paradise: Ben Bailey on guitar and vocals, Patrick Camilleri on drums, and Antoine Tonna on bass. A blues/blues-rock power trio with the chops to match their influences — Cream, the 3 Kings, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix, and the audacity to make it their own.

Their roots run deep in Malta’s rare musical advantage: free music education for every child. They were nurtured ...