Eight Times Up [live]

by Rob TheakstonWhile touring between Strikes Twice and its follow-up, Friends, Larry Carlton recorded Eight Times Up live in Tokyo in early 1983. This was his second live album recorded in Japan in under a decade (following 1979's excellent Mr. 335 Live in Japan), and once again found Carlton and band in fine form playing smooth jazz-fusion. Songs from Strikes Twice and Sleepwalk largely comprise this six-song recording. And though the production and instrumentation definitely sound dated, Carlton's guitar playing is once again textbook smooth jazz, and makes up for that slight sonic nuance.