The Ultra Zone is the sixth studio album by guitarist Steve Vai, released on September 7, 1999, through Epic Records.

The Ultra Zone
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 7, 1999
Recorded1998–1999
StudioThe Mothership (Los Angeles)
GenreInstrumental rock, progressive rock
Length68:45
LabelEpic
ProducerSteve Vai
Steve Vai chronology
Flex-Able Leftovers (Album)
(1996)
The Ultra Zone
(1999)
Real Illusions: Reflections
(2005)
Professional ratings
Review scores
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Allmusic link[1]

The Ultra Zone is structurally similar to Vai's previous album, Fire Garden, in that the first half of the album consists mainly of instrumentals, and the second half mainly of vocal songs; however, unlike Fire Garden, The Ultra Zone is not formally divided into two "phases".

Background

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The Ultra Zone is notable for its tributes to two guitarists: Frank Zappa (on the track "Frank"), and Stevie Ray Vaughan (on the track "Jibboom").

This was Vai's last studio album of original material until 2005's Real Illusions: Reflections; in the years in between, he released several compilations of his material, as well as a live album.

This album includes the participations of Koshi Inaba and Tak Matsumoto from the Japanese band B'z on "Asian Sky".

Track listing

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All songs written by Steve Vai.

  1. "The Blood & Tears" – 4:26
  2. "The Ultra Zone" – 4:52 (instrumental)
  3. "Oooo" – 5:12 (instrumental)
  4. "Frank" – 5:09 (instrumental) (homage to Frank Zappa)
  5. "Jibboom" – 3:46 (instrumental) (homage to Stevie Ray Vaughan)
  6. "Voodoo Acid" – 6:25
  7. "Windows to the Soul" – 6:25 (instrumental, with some small spoken parts)
  8. "The Silent Within" – 5:00
  9. "I'll Be Around" – 4:57
  10. "Lucky Charms" – 6:44 (instrumental)
  11. "Fever Dream" – 6:03 (instrumental)
  12. "Here I Am" – 4:12
  13. "Asian Sky" – 5:34
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
14."Selfless Love"3:27

Personnel

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References

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