Playing fast is a means to an end. Does playing a fast passage really cause musicality to suffer?
Part of soloing is being able to build intensity as you go along. Speed is one way to do that. Granted, all speed from start to finish can be boring and predictable, but having good technique is worth the effort.
IMHO, choice is always better than no choice. What about the following? Does the music suffer because of the way Carlton chooses to approach his solo?
YouTube - "Burnable" Larry Carlton with Robben Ford