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Strikes Twice is the fourth studio album by jazz guitarist Larry Carlton, released in August 1980.

Reception

Larry Carlton’s fourth studio album, 1981’s Strikes Twice, features the guitarist/vocalist playing a mix of crossover jazz and soft rock. While Carlton had previously sung and played guitar on his 1968 debut and 1973 follow-up, it was not until his 1978 eponymous release that he fully developed his trademark electric guitar sound, mixing jazz, rock, and pop elements. Strike Twice finds Carlton building upon that sound with songs that move between bright instrumental jazz rock (“Springville,” “Midnight Parade”) and melodic AM pop (“Ain’t Nothin’ for a Heartache,” “Magician”). Carlton is backed here by a handful of stellar Los Angeles session musicians including his fellow Crusaders’ bandmate bassist Robert “Pops” Popwell, keyboardist Terry Trotter, drummer John Ferraro, Brazilian percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and others (Matt Collar/AllMusic).

Track listing
All tracks are written by Larry Carlton, except where noted.

Side one
1. “Strikes Twice” 5:18
2. “Ain’t Nothin’ for a Heartache” Kerry Chater, Baron Longfellow 3:16
3. “Midnight Parade” 5:06
4. “The Magician” 4:11
Side two
5. “Springville” 6:36
6. “Mulberry Street” 7:15
7. “In My Blood” Carlton, John Townsend 4:09
8. “For Love Alone” 4:59
Total length: 40:50

Personnel
Larry Carlton – guitar, guitar synthesizer (2, 3, 6), vocals (2, 4, 7), Fender Rhodes (8), bass (8), drums (8), percussion (8)
Greg Mathieson – Fender Rhodes (1–3), Oberheim (4), CS-80 (4, 5), organ (5–7), Mini Moog (7)
Don Freeman – CP-70 electric grand (1), Fender Rhodes (4, 5, 7), clavinet (2–4, 7)
Brian Mann – CS-80 solo (1), Oberheim (1, 8)
Terry Trotter – electric piano (6)
Pops Popwell – bass (1–7)
John Ferraro – drums (2–7)
Paulinho da Costa – percussion (1–6)

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Released: August 22, 1980
Recorded: 1980
Studio Room 335 (Hollywood)
Length: 40:50
Label: Warner Bros.
Producer: Larry Carlton