Hiram Bullock - Give It What U Got

A powerhouse early solo album from guitarist Hiram Bullock, Give It What U Got captures the genre-blurring style that made Bullock one of the most distinctive electric guitarists of the 1980s. Released on Atlantic Jazz in 1987, the record combines jazz fusion with funk, rock and R&B, driven by Bullock's muscular guitar playing, vocals and energetic arrangements.

Bullock assembled an impressive cast for the sessions, including David Sanborn, Michael Brecker, Marcus Miller, Ricky Peterson, Will Lee, Dave Weckl, Steve Jordan, Don Alias, Randy Brecker, Robbie Kilgore and others. That lineup places the album squarely in the fertile New York fusion scene of the era, where top jazz players were freely crossing into funk, soul and rock.

The album features “Down the Pipe,” “Too Hip 2 B Needy,” “You Send Me,” “Half-Life,” “Give It What U Got,” “Gotta Get Your Jollys,” “Pretzel Logic” and “Angelina.” Particularly notable is Bullock's take on Steely Dan's “Pretzel Logic,” alongside a set of originals that showcase both his guitar work and his ability to build groove-heavy ensemble arrangements.

Produced by Hiram Bullock, with additional production by Ricky Peterson, this is an excellent pick for collectors of 1980s jazz fusion, electric guitar and the New York session-player scene.