Lettuce: The Funk Revivalists of Modern Music

Lettuce is a dynamic American funk and soul collective renowned for revitalizing the classic sounds of the 1970s with a modern, improvisational edge. Hailing from Boston, the band has built a formidable reputation through relentless touring and a series of critically acclaimed albums that have cemented their status as leaders of the contemporary funk scene.

Early career

Lettuce was formed in 1992 by a group of students at the Berklee College of Music who shared a deep passion for the gritty funk of bands like The Meters and Earth, Wind & Fire. The original lineup included future staples like drummer Adam Deitch, saxophonist Ryan Zoidis, and guitarist Eric Krasno. They cut their teeth playing local shows and quickly developed a reputation for explosive, groove-centric live performances, leading to their self-titled debut album in 2002.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough to a wider audience came with their 2009 album Rage!, released on the Velour Recordings label. This record captured their raw, high-energy live sound and became a staple on the jam band and festival circuits. While not a mainstream chart success, Rage! solidified their fanbase and demonstrated their potent formula of tight compositions and expansive improvisation, a hallmark of their career.

Key tracks

Madison Square — This instrumental track from the 2009 album Rage! is a quintessential Lettuce jam, showcasing their tight horn arrangements and relentless groove.

Phyllis — A fan-favorite from the 2015 album Crush, this song highlights the band's ability to craft catchy, danceable melodies with sophisticated musical interplay.

Love Is Too Strong — Featuring vocalist Nigel Hall, this track from 2019's Elevate displays the band's mastery of classic soul balladry alongside their funk foundation.

Keep That Funk Alive — More than a song title, this anthem from the 2002 debut became a mission statement for the band's dedication to the genre.

The group's later work, including albums like 2019's Grammy-nominated Elevate and 2022's Unify, has seen them collaborate with icons like Fred Wesley and explore more psychedelic and hip-hop infused sounds. Their consistent output and powerful live shows, including major festival headline slots, have grown their audience without major radio chart positions or industry certifications.

Fans of Lettuce's energetic, horn-driven funk may also enjoy the sounds of similar artists featured on our site. Soulive shares key members and a foundational groove-oriented approach. The New Mastersounds deliver a similarly crisp, instrumental funk sound from the UK. Greyboy Allstars offer a parallel path in the acid-jazz and funk revival movement. Snarky Puppy explores a broader, more jazz-fusion oriented landscape with a comparable emphasis on collective virtuosity.

The music of Lettuce is a fixture on many specialty radio formats, particularly on funk and soul stations, independent music radio stations, and online radio streams dedicated to jam band and improvisational music. Their high-energy tracks provide the perfect groove for programmers seeking authentic, instrumental funk.

You can experience the powerful grooves of Lettuce by tuning into the funk and soul radio stations featured on onairium.com. Discover their classic tracks and latest releases through the curated stations available on our platform.