Hiram

Hiram Bullock is best known as the bare-footed lead guitarist in the old Late Nite With Letterman house band. A student under Pat Metheny at Miami, a member of David Sanborn's old band, and a well-traveled session player, Bullock has recorded eight solo albums since 1986. In the past, Bullock generated a fairly conventional sound by marrying loud improvised guitar with funk. But this album stands out because of its seamless blend of Latin, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian influences. Carrasco may be the best album yet by a Late Nite or Late Show alum...

Hiram Law Bullock was an American jazz funk and jazz fusion guitarist. He studied at the University of Miami, where he met guitarists Pat Metheny and Steve Morse, and bass-players Jaco Pastorius and Will Lee. He paid for tuition by performing at nightclubs in Florida before moving to New York. He became best known for playing with Lee on Late Night with David Letterman and working with David Sanborn and Bob James. His work can be heard on Steely Dan's Gaucho (1980), Paul Simon's One Trick Pony (1980), Sting's …Nothing Like the Sun (1987) and Billy Joel's The Stranger (1977). He also worked with Harry Belafonte, Marcus Miller, Carla Bley, Miles Davis, Ruben Rada, and Gil Evans.

Over the course of his career – from his mid 70s run with The Brecker Brothers to his various stints as a hired gun for everyone from Gil Evans, Carla Bley and David Sanborn to Michael Franks and Miles Davis – Hiram Bullock earned his reputation as a bona fide guitar hero. But all along, Bullock has also been developing his skills as a songwriter. Too Funky 2 Ignore demonstrates just how accomplished he has become at the craft. I think I've gotten better at it as I ve been doing it, says the charismatic Guitar Man.

Former Late Night with David Letterman guitarist Hiram Bullock turns in one impressive session on this jazzy ten-track collection. As always, Bullock's guitar alternately sings gently and squalls with an almost rock-like intensity. The big surprise is that Hiram spices up his consummate picking with surprising vocal turns on "What You Won't Do for Love," "We're Gonna Get It Right," "Montevideo," the humorous "Bean Burrito," Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" and the title track. Bullock's impressive guitar chops are well to the fore throughout, even on the vocal numbers with bluesy and jazzy showcases on "Amazonas" and "And the Melody Lingers On (A Night In Tunisia)." With strong Latin percussion and a distinct salsa bent to the background framing Bullock's strong guitar work, this is a delightful album without a weak cut in the batch.

Guitarist Hiram Bullock has always been a study in contrasts. There's Bullock the guitarist, who has graced the recordings and live shows of Carla Bley and Miles Davis with his aplomb and elegance; the Bullock who has let his nimble fingers fly alongside guitarist Mike Stern on some of the more intense and fiery jazz-rock fusion albums of the last decade; and the Bullock who has made some of the worst schlock R&B/fusion albums ever recorded. This set, recorded live at Manny's in New York, features Bullock, bassist Will Lee, and Clint DeGanon on drums.

Hiram Bullock claimed that he had never done a "jazz" album before this – which is a debatable proposition depending upon how limiting your definition of jazz is. What counts is that he has come up with a beautiful album, drenched in soul-jazz yet touching upon popular music genres as well. Bullock didn't have to change much, utilizing his subdued and rock-tinged guitar styles at will, occasionally bursting out in full rock regalia and making tasty use of electronic additives.

Recorded May 27, 2004 at the University Cologne, the late great Hiram Bullock performing classic Hendrix with the incredible Billy Cobham playing drums.

A longtime fixture of the New York City session circuit, guitarist Hiram Bullock proved himself equally adept in spheres spanning from rock & roll to jazz to the avant-garde. He also cut a series of solo LPs exploring funk and fusion, but perhaps remains best remembered as a founding member of the original Late Night with David Letterman house band.