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My favoite Carlton album

Olukayode Balogun | 07/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have all Larry's albums and this is my favorite. Song from the 5th grade and Cruisin are my favorites."

My favourite Larry Carlton album!

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 05/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These days, guitarist Larry Carlton is, in my view, standing so close to the edge of the ever popular 'smooth jazz' pool that he is in danger of falling headlong in and losing all credibility. This 1983 powerhouse of an album - my favourite Larry Carlton album ever - is from the time when he was, again in my view, still a 'proper' jazz guitarist. Accessible jazz maybe, some even called it jazz-fusion but whatever it was, it was a far cry from the dreary stuff he puts out nowadays. I'm still a solid Fourplay fan but his last solo album I bought was 2003's "Sapphire Blue" and it almost made me weep. I didn't review it on here because I still believe it's better to say nothing if one has nothing nice to say. Besides, I still do have a lot of respect for him as a musician.



On this album Carlton's guitar goes everywhere possible. It's adventurous and daring. Right from the opening track, "Breaking Ground", it's exciting. The music is also incredibly funky, not least of all on "South Town", "Tequila" & "L.A., N.Y.".



Carlton is backed by a rhythm section that features Abe Laboriel on bass, Jeff Pocaro on drums, and Brian Mann on synthesizers. But there are also great guest appearances from the likes of B.B. King (guitar on "Blues for T.J."), Joe Sample (Fender Rhodes on "South Town" & "Blues For T.J."), Al Jarreau (vocal scat on "Tequila") and Michael Brecker (sax on "Tequila", "L.A., N.Y." and "Friends").



I don't care what anyone says. With the exception of a few that I know of who have managed to remain consistently exciting over the years, in most cases, the old days were the best days. This CD is highly recommended. I say get one now before it becomes one of those CDs that'll be going for $89.99 or something like that. It WILL happen unless it's re-issued.

"

Buying CD to replace worn-out album

Shirl | Florida | 04/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album (you remember ... an actual LP) in the early '80s after hearing only two songs from it on a radio station, those songs being Blues for TJ (with BB King) and Tequila (with Al Jarreau doing scats). I'd not heard of Larry Carlton before then (I've since emerged from my rock), but have been a fan ever since. This is one of those rare gems where I love every song on the album. I can't imagine anyone who enjoys what's now called "smooth jazz" who would not get as much enjoyment out of this album. As mentioned in the subject line, I am buying a CD to replace the LP that I've literally played to death."