Discovery

Released in 1986, Discovery stands as a definitive document of Larry Carlton's transition into the smooth jazz and contemporary jazz spotlight of the late 1980s. Following his prolific career as a session titan for artists like Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell, this album showcases his ability to lead with melodic authority. The record is perhaps most famous for Carlton's instrumental reimagining of the Doobie Brothers' 'Minute by Minute,' a performance that earned him a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. The recording features a stellar lineup of musicians, including Kirk Whalum on tenor saxophone, whose bluesy interjections complement Carlton's fluid guitar lines. Produced by Carlton himself and engineered by Rik Pekkonen, the album is a benchmark for 1980s studio fidelity, characterized by its clean separation and warm analog character. It remains a staple of the 'Quiet Storm' and contemporary jazz radio formats, solidifying Carlton's legacy as the premier architect of the '335' guitar sound.