Photo: Jay Sansone

Celebrated funk six-piece, Lettuce, has announced the December 3 release of Cook on the group’s own self-titled record label. The forthcoming collection of songs follows the band’s previous full-length studio effort, Unify, released in 2022. As a first preview of the impending arrival, the funk geniuses deliver the album debut single, “Gold Tooth.” 

Clocking in at under four minutes, “Gold Tooth” presents a funk-laden instrumental back and forth between bandmates. It’s a rhythm-driven sound that pulses to the beat of Adam Deitch’s inner clock and mingles with guitarist Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff’s driving groove, paired with a soaring display on keys from Nigel Hall and Eric “Benny” Bloom’s brassy blows, which fill out the composition spliced by nostalgia for pre-aughts sound. 

In the band’s official press release, Lettuce keyboardist and vocalist Nigel Hall comments on the longevity of the track’s existence, “This is something that we’ve sat on for a minute, and I’m glad to put some ears on it finally.”

Drummer Adam Deitch adds, “This is what happens when me and Shmeeans get together and make sumn FUNKY,” while Eric “Benny” Bloom (trumpet, horns) strikes a comparison to another decade, “This song is giving strong 1990s Prince & Chaka Khan vibes.” 

Cook acknowledges Lettuce’s musical capacity and ability to effortlessly lean into genres like funk, soul, jazz, rock, and hip-hop, while also saving space to explore new interests and experimentation following tours with GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan and reggae legend Ziggy Marley.

“This record is a little more three-dimensional than our past albums,” says Deitch. “It shows a lot more sides to the band, exploring further depths of production and arrangements.” 

“Music and food are very related. Use the wrong ingredients in either and you can ruin the sound and the meal,” the drummer adds. 

Ahead of the release, the band will embark on a global tour, stopping at stages in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. For more information, visit www.lettucefunk.com/tour. 

Pre-orderCook. Listen to “Gold Tooth” below.