Crush is the fourth studio album by Boston, MA funk band Lettuce, released on November 6, 2015. It reached number one on the U.S. Jazz Albums chart, their first album to do so. Known for its high-energy, space-funk sound and tight horn arrangements, it is very cinematic throughout, painting pictures of everything from spaghetti westerns to outer space to spy movies. Crush is a perfect patchwork of influences of funk, hip-hop, neo-soul, and psychedlia and quickly became a fan-favorite at live shows, with many songs becoming concert staples that remain so today. It hits somewhere between a packed retro roller rink, a Brooklyn warehouse afterparty, and a smoky jazz-funk club at 1:00 AM. It’s got the goods. This is the album where Lettuce fully locked into their identity. Earlier records hinted at the blend, but Crush feels confident and intentional from front to back. It’s groove-heavy without becoming repetitive, technical without feeling sterile, and jam-oriented without losing structure.
I was a little later to the Lettuce party than some, but once I arrived that was it. I was in it and my life was funk all day. It got me through my tedious job with less stress, my head constantly bobbing with a half grin while I tirelessly typed my life away in a windowless room. It was spring of 2019, and Elevate was still several months away from being released. Crush was the gateway album and soundtrack to my daily grind that spring and summer quite literally every day until Elevate hit stores. I knew every note, every stop, every change, every word. So for my next birthday, to my extreme joy, my wife bought me a VIP Meet and Greet ticket to the Lettuce show in Dallas at The Granada Theatre in January of 2020. Meeting the band before the show was extremely laid back and was really just chit chatting over some random snacks and listening to records (the band has quite an extensive traveling record collection). Of course they signed records and posters and took some obligatory pics, but that was the least important part of the experience. They treated us like peers, not fans. Just real dudes, no egos. They say don’t meet your heroes or you’ll be disappointed, but that doesn’t apply here. They felt like instant homies. That show was the last concert I attended before COVID shutdown the world and cancelled all of the concerts for many moons. It was a hell of a way to go out. Deitch and Nigel and Maverick (pka Jesus) and Shmeeans and Benny and Zoidis are so tight as a unit that they consistently and persistently make funk gem after gem. No matter how many gems they produce though, Crush is the crown jewel and showcases Lettuce at their most impactful.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Force: Explosive opener that immediately announces the album’s mission statement. The horn stabs are cinematic and aggressive, almost like the opening credits to a 1970s cop movie. It’s heavy, tight, and unapologetically funky.
Chief: Like a funky spaghetti Western film score. One of the most muscular tracks on the record. Big guitar presence, huge rhythm section, funky knuckles, and some of the album’s strongest solo work.
Phyllis: A centerpiece track. Long-form groove evolution with excellent dynamic control and interstellar space jams. This is where the jam-band DNA really emerges.
Sounds Like A Party: One of the album’s most accessible tracks and one of two vocal-heavy moments. Featuring the illustrious Nigel Hall. This is pure celebration music.
The Lobbyist: Huge cinematic energy. The horn lines feel almost sports-arena-ready. Bass and brass dominate the arrangement. One of the album’s most instantly memorable melodies. Just try to keep your head from bobbing.
“Music and food are very related. Use the wrong ingredients in either and you can ruin the sound and the meal.”
-Adam Deitch, Lettuce drummer
There’s something effortlessly cool about pairing Crush by Lettuce with a Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wrap. It’s crisp, punchy, and dialed all the way into the groove. The snap of fresh romaine, the creamy hit of Caesar, the savory bite of grilled chicken all mirror the band’s tight, syncopated funk, where every instrument locks in with purpose but still leaves room to breathe. Nothing heavy, nothing overworked. Just clean, confident flavor and rhythm.
This is a meal and a record built on precision and feel. You’re not rushing through either one. You’re assembling, layering, letting it come together just right. And once it does, it’s smooth sailing into bright, funky, and endlessly repeatable.
Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wraps
Credit: GoodLifeEats.com
INGREDIENTS
Caesar Chicken
1.5 to 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp lemon zest
1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp anchovy paste
2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional – omit if heat sensitive)
½ – ¾ tsp Kosher salt, or to taste
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Lettuce Wraps
1½–2 cups finely chopped romaine or little gem lettuce
½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
1½–2 cups garlic croutons, roughly chopped
½ cup Caesar dressing, or to taste
Butter lettuce leaves or large romaine leaves (about 12–16 leaves total)
Freshly ground black pepper and lemon wedges, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Marinate and Cook the Chicken
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the marinade ingredients until well blended. Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed.
Toss the chicken with the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours.
Remove the chicken from the fridge 20–30 minutes before grilling to bring to room temperature.
To cook, preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Prepare the Filling
Slice grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl, combine protein with the chopped romaine or little gem lettuce.
Toss lightly with Caesar dressing to coat, or drizzle when assembling (your choice for texture).
Assemble the Wraps
If you have leftovers, store the lettuce, chicken, dressing, and toppings separately.
Lay out your lettuce leaves on a platter.Add a spoonful of the chicken or shrimp mixture to each leaf.
Top with shaved Parmesan, a few crushed garlic croutons, and a drizzle of more dressing if desired.
Finish with freshly ground black pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
Groove Rituals 