Is Larry Carlton a good place to start with Larry Carlton?

Yes, Larry Carlton is recommended as a starting point for new Larry Carlton listeners. A seamless blend of intricate guitar melodies and rhythmic grooves, embodying the essence of late '70s jazz fusion. Released in 1978, this self-titled album marked Larry Carlton's debut as a solo artist after establishing his reputation as a sought-after session guitarist. At this point, he was transitioning from a background player to a prominent figure in the jazz fusion scene, showcasing his distinctive style and compositional skills.

Who is Larry Carlton for?

Larry Carlton works well if you're into steady melodic progression throughout, intricate guitar work appreciation and background warmth for relaxation.

How many songs are on Larry Carlton?

Larry Carlton has 8 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Larry Carlton

Larry Carlton · 1978

41 min · 8 tracks · blues

A seamless blend of intricate guitar melodies and rhythmic grooves, embodying the essence of late '70s jazz fusion.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Room 335 Start here — The opening track features sophisticated guitar work paired with smooth arrangements, setting the tone for the entire album and highlighting Carlton's virtuosity.
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Nite Crawler — This track showcases a tight rhythm section alongside intricate solos, perfectly encapsulating the jazz-rock fusion that defines Carlton's sound.
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(It Was) Only Yesterday — With its melodic structure and lyrical depth, this song illustrates Carlton's ability to blend emotional resonance with skilled musicianship.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album features strong guitar work and cohesive grooves but lacks the depth for lasting impact.

What we noticed

The album opens with 'Room 335', featuring a prominent guitar melody that sets a laid-back, jazzy tone.
Each track showcases intricate guitar solos, often accompanied by smooth keyboard and bass lines that create a cohesive groove.
Several tracks, like 'Nite Crawler' and 'Rio Samba', incorporate rhythmic shifts that highlight Carlton's versatility as a guitarist.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic progression throughout
intricate guitar work appreciation
background warmth for relaxation
engaging rhythms for focus

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek high-energy party anthems

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Carlton as a solo artist after his session work, gaining wider recognition.
Themes: late-night grooves· Los Angeles jazz scene· melodic sophistication
Career context: Released in 1978, this self-titled album marked Larry Carlton's debut as a solo artist after establishing his reputation as a sought-after session guitarist. At this point, he was transitioning from a background player to a prominent figure in the jazz fusion scene, showcasing his distinctive style and compositional skills.
Stylistic neighbors: Lee Ritenour· Robben Ford· Pat Metheny