Anchored by a base of returning favorites, the Red Butte Garden concert series will provide another summer packed with eclectic music in one of the state's most gorgeous concert settings.

Anyone attending the entire 12-show series will experience music styles such as West African, bluegrass, soul, funk, blues, classic rock, alt country and folk. And that list does not include one of the premier pairings of this year's series, Bela Fleck and Chick Corea, which will almost surely feature a mix of a half-dozen unique styles in one night alone.

"In general, I'm really excited about this line-up, from top to bottom," said Chris Mautz, who books and produces the concerts for Red Butte Garden.

First-time acts are always a nice test for the series, and this year does not disappoint. Perhaps the most intriguing is the Sierra Leone All-Star Refugees, whose name is a pretty simple explanation of both its story and its music.

"It's an amazing story," Mautz said. "They were living in the refugee camps and formed this band."

There is also Son Volt, one of the demigods of the alt-country sound whose latest album, "The Search," is powered by some of the strongest songwriting likely to be performed this year. However, the band's live shows are often hit-and-miss, so winning over the often fickle Red Butte audience will be an interesting challenge.

Another new act to the Garden is the Neville Brothers, a band that holds the unique position of epitomizing the sound and soul of an entire city — New Orleans. It is one of the first groups people mention when discussing the Bayou's musical heritage, on par with such contemporaries as Fats Domino and Dr. John.

As with most years, Red Butte veterans are the real draw. That group includes Chris Isaak (sold out), the Indigo Girls, Bruce Hornsby and a couple of potentially amazing double bills — the sold-out Keb Mo and Robert Cray, and Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.

While the music is predictably strong, long-time patrons could be in for some disappointments. First, the long- promised venue makeover is still only promised, although Mautz did say that the construction will probably begin later this year.

When completed, the new venue will feature a stage with improved lighting and sound. There will also be actual bathrooms instead of portable toilets.

There was also the loss of one act, when Mary Chapin Carpenter was forced to cancel her entire tour because of a back problem. Mautz said that the show will be replaced.

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com