Modern Primitive (album) explained

Modern Primitive
Type:	studio
Artist:	Steve Vai
Cover:	Steve Vai - Modern Primitive.png
Studio:	Stucco Blue Studios
Length:	70:14
Label:	Epic
Producer:	Steve Vai
Prev Title:	The Story of Light
Prev Year:	2012
Next Title:	Inviolate
Next Year:	2022

Modern Primitive is the ninth studio album by American guitarist Steve Vai, released on Epic Records on June 24, 2016. According to his website, the material on the album was "based on song sketches and works-in-progress penned and recorded by Vai following the release of Flex-Able, his debut album, in January 1984." He sees this material as a link between the stylistically different Flex-Able and Passion and Warfare (1990). The name of the album refers to his "modern" finishing of some of his oldest, most "primitive" works (when he was then in his mid-20s).^[1]

Personnel

• Steve Vai – guitars
• Mohini Dey – bass (1)
• Jeremy Colson – drums (2, 7)
• Alvin Chea – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
• Antonio Sol – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
• Fletcher Sheridan – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
• Mandy Vajar – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
• Nayanna Holley – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
• Stu Hamm – bass (3–6, 9–13)
• Chris Frazier – drums (3–6, 9–13)
• Devin Townsend – vocals (4)
• Philip Bynoe – bass (7–8)
• Mike Mangini – drums (8)
• Mike Keneally – keyboards (8)
• Dave Weiner – sitar (8)
• Tommy Mars – keyboards* (11–13)
• Jazz James – vocals (11–13)
• Greg Wurth – "performer" (5)
• Marpran Cassiopeia Vai – "performer" (11–13)

Charts

Chart (2016)! scope="col"

Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)^[2]	118

Notes and References

1. Web site: Modern Primitive . June 24, 2016. vai.com . December 31, 2020.
2. Web site: CHART: CLUK Update 2 July 2016 (wk26). zobbel.de. February 2, 2022.