Lettuce Funked Up NYC for "Crush" Album Release Party on Nov 14, 2015 [Zumic Review + Photos]

This past Saturday night, Lettuce performed at the Playstation Theater in Times Square, NY in celebration of their recently released studio album, Crush. While the new album dabbles in elements of psychedelic rock, the band performed a set that filled the venue with a haze of funk so thick, even the late James Brown could smell it!

The Boston by way of Brooklyn band consists of guitarists Eric Krasno and Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff, keyboardist Neal Evans, drummer Adam Deitch, bassist Erick "Jesus" Coomes, and the Shady Horns (saxophonist Ryan Zoidis and trumpeter Eric "Benny" Bloom). As usual, they delivered an exceptional amount of energy into their songs, and the fans loved every minute of it.

Songs like “The New Reel,” “Trillogy,” and “Pocket Change” sounded as lively as they do on the album. Longtime fans grew loud when the band dipped into their back catalogue for the 2008 Rage! cuts “Blast Off” and “Makin’ My Way Back Home” as well as “Do It Like You Do” and “Lettsanity” from 2012’s Fly! release.

The Shady Horns duo added bright touches with saxophone and trumpet playing, helping to lively up the tunes, and Neal Evans’ keyboard and organ playing added a warm depth.

Soul singer Nigel Hall joined the band onstage to make sure the funk levels went through the roof as he assumed vocal duties on a take of Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.” His energy was infectious as he roamed the stage, hyping up the crowd.

Lettuce is a band that is in their prime, and deliver a style of heady funk and danceable grooves that sound fresh and original. Crush represents the many talents that each musician in the band can deliver, and there seems to be no limit to what the band can accomplish.

Pick up Crush on Amazon (CD, MP3). You can also stream the full album for free and read our review here on Zumic.

For the latest music, news, and tour dates from Lettuce, check out their Zumic artist page.