Matteo Mancuso and Steve Vai unite on new single

Matteo Mancuso has released his new single “Solar Wind,” featuring Steve Vai. The track appears on Mancuso’s upcoming sophomore album Route 96, due April 24 via Music Theories Recordings. An official video for the song is available now.

“Solar Wind” opens the new album and pairs the young Sicilian guitarist with Vai, the multi-Grammy Award-winning instrumentalist widely regarded as one of the most influential players of the past five decades. Vai has previously praised Mancuso as one of the most exciting emerging guitar talents, making the collaboration a notable moment for both artists.

Mancuso said of the track, “Solar Wind is a really special song to me. I believe Steve brought a whole new dimension to the music. I was listening to a lot of his solo records like Passion And Warfare while composing this music. He sent back his parts in just a couple of weeks and what he played was spectacular. It’s not shreddy, I wanted something melodic rather than over the top, but still very Vai-like.”

The new album’s title references both Mancuso’s birth year and the 96kHz audio sample rate Vai recommended he use during recording. “Solar Wind” follows the previously released single “Isla Feliz,” which features Gypsy jazz guitarist Antoine Boyer.

Mancuso first gained international attention in 2023 with his debut album The Journey. His technical ability and compositional approach drew praise from guitarists including Tosin Abasi, Al Di Meola, Dweezil Zappa and Vai. The release led to international touring and sold-out shows across Europe and the United States.

According to Mancuso, Route 96 reflects a more confident and streamlined creative process compared to his debut. While The Journey was largely arranged in rehearsal, the new album was more deliberately composed and orchestrated. Mancuso is joined on the record by Riccardo Oliva on bass and Gianluca Pellerito on drums. The album was recorded at Fico D’India Studios in Casteldaccia, Italy and produced by Mancuso alongside his father, Vincenzo Mancuso.

Tour Dates

2/26 – Lansing, MI – Grewal Hall at 224
2/27 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
4/09 – Catania, Italy – Zo Centro
4/12 – Palermo, Italy – Teatro Politeama
4/13 – Rende (CS), Italy – Auditorium Unical
4/14 – Bari, Italy – Teatro Forma
4/15 – Grassina, Italy – Viper Club
4/16 – Torino, Italy – Hiroshima Mon Amour
4/17 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
4/19 – Padova, Italy – Hall
4/20 – Bologna, Italy – Locomotiv Club
4/21 – Rome, Italy – Auditorium Parco della Musica
4/23 – Berlin, Germany – Lido
4/24 – Hamburg, Germany – Fabrik
4/25 – Frankfurt, Germany – Zoom Frankfurt
4/28 – Munich, Germany – Ampere
4/30 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso
5/01 – Nijmegen, Netherlands – Doornroosje
5/03 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
5/05 – Paris, France – Alhambra
5/06 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala Apolo
5/07 – Madrid, Spain – Sala Villanos
5/09 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Hornstulls Strand
5/10 – Göteborg, Sweden – Pustervik
5/11 – Helsingør, Denmark – The Culture Yard
5/13 – Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
5/14 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall
5/16 – Athens, Greece – Gagarin 205
7/16 – Pori, Finland – Kirjurinluoto
8/17 – New York, NY – Full Moon Resort

Route 96 will be available April 24 through Music Theories Recordings.