Guitar virtuosos Steve Vai and Joe Satriani are finally releasing their first joint studio album, ‘The Sea of Emotion,’ on November 6, 2026, via earMUSIC. This landmark collaboration marks a significant moment in their intertwined musical journeys, culminating decades of friendship and shared artistry in a full-length studio project.
The foundation of this unique partnership stretches back 53 years to 1973. A then-13-year-old Steve Vai began taking guitar lessons from Joe Satriani, who was 17 at the time, forging a bond that has endured for over half a century. While their extensive history includes numerous collaborations, notably on the renowned G3 tours and other projects, ‘The Sea of Emotion’ stands as their inaugural dedicated full-length studio album recorded together.
The idea for this long-awaited album gained significant momentum following a G3 reunion tour in early 2024. An unexpected opportunity opened up in their schedules, transforming an initial suggestion for a single track into the ambitious full album project. Steve Vai humorously reflected on the natural evolution of their work, noting that they had been “planning this since 1973, just unconsciously.”
The creation process for ‘The Sea of Emotion’ highlighted the distinct songwriting approaches of both artists, an aspect that became a significant and enjoyable part of their recording experience. Adding a deeply personal touch, a segment of an old reel-to-reel recording from one of Vai’s very first guitar lessons with Satriani is woven into ‘The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 3,’ directly connecting their profound past to their present artistic endeavor.
Ahead of the album’s official release, fans have already been treated to several singles, including ‘The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1,’ ‘I Wanna Play My Guitar,’ ‘Dancing,’ and ‘Mayhem.’ The album features a stellar lineup of contributing musicians, with Kenny Aronoff on drums and Eric Caudieux handling keyboards and production. Legendary vocalist Glenn Hughes also makes a guest appearance, lending his voice to the track ‘I Wanna Play My Guitar.’