I didn't know that Mike and Al had parted ways, although I haven't really followed them for a long long time.

IIRC, Al came onstage a couple of times during Brian's solo shows in the not too distant past.

And I agree, Foskett and Sahanaja "get it" as far as Brian's music goes.  Check out Foskett's solo work (there's a compilation called "Stars in the Sand" which is a great intro to him), or Sahanaja's band The Wondermints.  Both owe a lot to Brian's style.

I think Melinda saved Brian and got him back out into the public more than anyone else.  Waaaaaay more than that golddigger quack Eugene Landy.  There are a couple of good documentaries on Brian that feature a fair bit about her.  A friend of mine knew the Wilsons a little bit when they lived in St. Charles IL several years ago and said that she's just this great calming influence, not only on Brian but on everyone around her.