Interesting comparison, I would have said I would never have thought of making that connection, but I loved both their playing even though it was a different as I could imagine. Alan was one of the players that was so good, it wasn't even worth no hoper’s like me even trying. I had one of his music books years ago, it was fun just trying to play the chord shapes he used (and very painful). One of my favourite finger breakers was this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkVTzqrIMfw.reminds me of Zappa solos quite a bit.
I like McLaughlin quote "I recall a show I saw him at in London about 14 years ago. After the concert I said to him, ‘If I knew what you were doing, I’d steal everything, but I don’t know what you are doing!’