Brooklyn-based Lettuce is keeping Funk alive and kicking with its full, rich soundscape. There are rarely lyrics but they are not needed, as the band speaks fluently through its rhythmic, dance-inducing instrumentals. Hearing the instruments trade off the lead like they do is nice, but hearing the solos is the real treat. A great song to gauge if you'll dig the band is "Ziggowatt." Spacey sax and chunky bass go back and forth the majority of the tune, and then out of nowhere a melt-your-face-off guitar solo takes over. Lettuce never tasted this good.
Lettuce plays with Exmag on Thursday, October 23, at Water Street Music Hall, 204 North Water Street. 8 p.m. $18-$22. Waterstreetmusic.com; lettucefunk.com.