Lettuce Turn Up the Heat With Cook as They Blend Music, Food, and Soul Into One

Photo Credit Sam Silkworth

Few bands can keep funk this fresh for this long, but Lettuce are built differently. The New York-bred collective has spent years perfecting a recipe that never goes stale. Their upcoming album Cook, out December 3, brings together 16 tracks of funk, soul, jazz, and hip-hop that taste as good as they sound.

The latest single, “Keep On,” pays homage to Bay Area funk legends Tower of Power and even includes a co-writing credit from their frontman, Emilio Castillo. The track is a high-energy mix of horns, grooves, and grit that captures the timeless spirit of perseverance. Drummer Adam Deitch calls it “a lil tribute to our heroes,” while vocalist Nigel Hall describes it as a reminder “not to block your blessings.”

Beyond the music, Lettuce continues expanding its world. They recently launched a Berklee College of Music scholarship, two new wine lines called Red Crush and Orange Crush, and a cooking series titled Lettuce Cook.

Each project reflects its mission to connect art, community, and creativity in every form. With Cook, Lettuce are serving up a reminder that funk is more than a sound. It’s a lifestyle.

Cook feels like more than an album. What inspired you to combine food, wine, and music into one creative experience?

We have some real chefs and wine enthusiasts in the band. Eric Bloom and Ryan Zoidis have run a natural wine distribution company for at least 5 years. They both cook for the band here and there. They've educated us on the culinary arts in so many ways. My parents always listen to music while we eat. Music, wine, and food are closely connected. That is the theme of the album. 

How did the collaboration with Tower of Power’s Emilio Castillo on “Keep On” come about?

In the early 2000s, my stint with the soul group "AWB" allowed me to be around groups like Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, and the Isley Brothers. I met Emilio then and he was very supportive of me in my first touring era. Years later I helped get them signed to our management company. TOP has been an inspiration to us since we all were children. He heard my demo of "Keep On" and said he liked it. He had some lyrics that inspired Nigel Hall to rewrite to suit his singing style. We are honored to work with him in any capacity. 

After so many years together, what keeps Lettuce motivated to keep innovating and pushing boundaries?

There are many motivational factors for us to keep pushing. The main one for me is not only to honor our influences, but also to add to their musical legacies by incorporating the styles of our era (Hip Hop, Jungle, Dancehall, Trap, etc.) into the music our heroes created, thereby avoiding copying while adding a fresh perspective. 

The Berklee scholarship feels like a full-circle moment. Why was it important for you to give back in that way?

The 5 week program at Berklee for 16 year olds was extremely important to all of us. We all met there and began a 35 year journey since that summer. We met musical heroes there and figured out where we stood in the musical landscape. We hope that through this Scholarship, we can share that experience with younger generations, enabling them to start their own alliances and groups that will shape their own futures, both musically and otherwise. 

Between your live shows, wines, and Lettuce Cook series, what do you hope fans take away from this new era of the band?

I strongly believe we are at our best in 2025. Between the songs, recording quality, live performances, and navigating the music industry, we continue to grow and focus on creating the best music of our lives.