Lettuce - Unify (2-LP Vinyl)
Read more about Lettuce's Unify in our featured coverage from September 2022 on jambands.com.
Pressed on double vinyl, Unify (2016) captures Lettuce at peak power—the Boston-bred funk collective creating instrumental music that bridges jam bands, jazz fusion, and hip-hop production. Produced by the band at Carriage House Studios in Connecticut, the album showcases Lettuce's seven-piece lineup locking into grooves that honor 1970s funk tradition while incorporating contemporary production techniques and improvisational approaches that connect them to the festival circuit. Unify demonstrates why Lettuce has maintained relevance for over two decades: disciplined funk meeting exploratory improvisation, with technical command that satisfies musicians alongside grooves that make audiences dance.
The album features compositions that balance tight funk arrangements with sections that open up for improvisation. Tracks like "Blast Off," "Madison Square," and "Phyllis" showcase Lettuce's ability to create instrumental music that works both on record and as vehicles for extended live exploration. Adam Deitch's drumming provides the foundation—precise, powerful, and deeply grounded in funk tradition—while Adam Smirnoff's guitar, Eric Krasno's additional guitar, Erick Coomes' bass, Ryan Zoidis' saxophone, and Nigel Hall's keyboards all contribute voices to the ensemble conversation. The production captures both the tightness of the arrangements and the space that allows soloists to shine, revealing Lettuce's influences: Meters, Tower of Power, Headhunters, and Medeski Martin & Wood all inform their approach.
What makes Unify significant is how it proves instrumental funk can maintain both artistic credibility and audience appeal in an era dominated by vocals and electronic production. Lettuce honors funk tradition while pushing the genre forward through jam band improvisational freedom and contemporary production. This double vinyl pressing preserves the groove and dynamics across four sides.
Double LP vinyl. Released 2016. Recorded at Carriage House Studios, Connecticut. Seven-piece funk collective. Instrumental compositions balancing tight arrangements and improvisation.