REVIEW: Lettuce Unveil Their Latest Album “Resonate”
REVIEW: Lettuce Unveil Their Latest Album “Resonate”
Another prime example of their genre-blending mastery
Grammy-nominated, multi-genre band, Lettuce, has released its seventh studio album Resonate – via Round Hill Records. The 11-track collection features pre-released songs “Checker Wrecker,” “‘NDUGU” and “House of Lett.” Resonate is a sonic extension of the band’s highly praised 2019 Grammy-nominated album Elevate – which earned the nomination in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category.
Lettuce has developed its sound into something unique and original. Blending funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and psychedelic sounds into one record plays like a master class in funk sub-genres – the band continues to blur the lines and push boundaries within their music.
Resonate kicks off with “Blaze,” a song that fans will be familiar with from rudimentary efforts onstage from their more recent shows in the past few years. This track is a mid-tempo funk that finds saxophonist, Ryan Zoidis, catching wreck atop this LETT club banger. The next track “Good Morning Mr. Shmink” is reminiscent of ‘70s hard funk, with mighty horn blares. Guitarist, Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff, offers some non-linear rhythms while Nigel Hall grooves on the organ – this track is a classic, quality Lettuce funk.
Soon we dive into “N’DUGU” – inspired drummer, Adam Deitch, as he was watching videos of infamous drummer, Leon ‘Ndugu’ Chancler. The groovy, percussion-filled track is the second single previously released from Resonate. Another notable song off the record is “Checker Wrecker (ft. Jungle Boogie and Big Tony)” – it’s smooth but also has a wild drumbeat that heightens the song immensely.
“Moksha (ft. Indrajit Banerjee)” is very different when compared to the rest, making it more interesting. “Moksha” is a prime example of how Lettuce breaks down genres, mixes them all together, and creates something new. The track opens mellow but gradually builds throughout the rest of the song, creating a powerful impact when the beat drops.
The closing and title track, “Resonate”, is the most surreal song on this album. The opening is interesting with dropping/popping sounds – this is the kind of song where you have to focus and listen to it to appreciate the band’s depth when it comes to blending sounds together. The style of the track isn’t typical jazz, but you can really hear the way they incorporate jazz elements which developed into something incredibly unique.
Lettuce is more alive than ever on Resonate and hopes to give listeners a sensation of genuine emotion and personal transformation. As Deitch puts it, “if you let good vibes resonate with the people around you, they’ll hit hearts, minds, and souls.”
