Lettuce Funk Up Keni Burke’s “Rising to the Top” Ahead of New Album Cook

Legendary funk sextet Lettuce has dropped their electrifying cover of Keni Burke’s 1982 R&B classic “Rising to the Top”—and it’s available now on all platforms alongside an intimate, retro-styled music video. The release comes as a first taste of their highly anticipated new LP, Cook, arriving December 3, 2025 on the band’s own Lettuce Records.

Originally recorded by the one-time Five Stairsteps member Keni Burke, “Rising to the Top” has long been a cherished track in the R&B and hip-hop worlds. Lettuce breathes new life into the song, honoring its soulful roots while layering in their unmistakable modern funk. The video, shot and edited by keyboardist/vocalist Nigel Hall, captures the magic of the band in the studio, framed through warm, vintage filters that radiate pure 80s nostalgia.

Drummer Adam Deitch called the song an “R&B soul classic—tune paid serious tribute by the incredible Nigel Hall on vocals and keys.” For Hall, the song carries a personal connection:

“This was a song I heard as a kid. Through Hip-Hop, I learned the original, and per usual, was stuck on it like many tunes I checked out through Hip-Hop in my formative years. I always wanted to play it and am grateful to have turned that wish into reality.”

Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes summed up the track’s message:

“Believe in yourself profusely. Never listen to the doubts of others about your potential.”

Lettuce’s rendition feels like a late-summer anthem—warm, carefree, and rooted in positivity.

Cook isn’t just a title—it’s a celebration of the flavors that make Lettuce unique. Funk, soul, jazz, rock, and hip-hop all come together in a genre-defying mix, sharpened by the band’s years of musical chemistry. The record follows recent high-profile tours with Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA and reggae legend Ziggy Marley, as well as the release of Lettuce with the Colorado Symphony.

“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.”

In a delicious twist, Cook also comes with Lettuce Red Crush and Orange Crush wines, produced in collaboration with Aquila Cellars. A recipe book pairing food with music will be included in vinyl editions and available digitally.

Cook – Track Listing

1. Grewt Up

2. Clav it Your Way

3. Sesshins 1

4. 7 Tribes

5. Rising to the Top

6. Sesshins 2

7. Gold Tooth

8. Breathe

9. The Matador

10. Sesshins 3

11. Cook

12. Storms Coming

13. Keep On

14. Sesshins 4

15. The Mac

16. Ghosts of Yest

Lettuce’s world tour in support of Cook begins August 13, 2025 and runs deep into 2026, covering North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Fans can also grab the “Cookin’ with the Band” VIP Experience for select January–February 2026 dates, including soundcheck access, setlist voting, exclusive merch, and a signed tour laminate.

2025

• 08/13 – Paw Paw, MI @ Warner Vineyards

• 08/14 – Columbus, OH @ The Summit Music Hall

• 08/15 – Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI Annex with BALTHVS

• 08/16 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew's Hall with BALTHVS

• 08/17 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom with BALTHVS

• 08/19 – Bayfield, WI @ Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua

• 08/20 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue with BALTHVS

• 08/21 – Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre with BALTHVS

• 08/22 – Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall with BALTHVS

• 08/23 – Iowa City, IA @ Wildwood

• 08/24 – St. Louis, MO @ Atomic Pavilion

• 08/27 – Toronto, ON @ Annabel's

• 08/28 – Jim Thorpe, PA @ Penn's Peak

• 08/29 – Charlestown, RI @ Rhythm & Roots

• 08/30 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom

• 08/31 – Portsmouth, NH @ The Music Hall

• 09/01 – Stratton, VT @ Stratton Mountain Resort

• 09/17 – Paris, FR @ Alhambra

• 09/18 – Cologne, DE @ CBE

• 09/19 – Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVredenburg

• 09/21 – Antwerp, BE @ Troubleyn

• 09/22 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso

• 09/23 – Berlin, DE @ Lido

• 09/24 – Vienna, AT @ Simm City

• 09/26 – Zürich, CH @ Bogen F

• 09/27 – Milan, IT @ Santeria

• 09/30 – Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz 2

• 10/01 – Angoulins, FR @ Crossroad

• 10/02 – Rouen, FR @ Le 106

• 10/03 – London, UK @ Ronnie Scott's

• 10/04 – London, UK @ Ronnie Scott's

• 10/17 – Charleston, SC @ The Refinery

• 10/18 – Raleigh, NC @ Harvest Jam Music & Arts Festival

• 10/24 – Melbourne, AU @ Melbourne International Jazz Festival

• 10/25 – Sydney, AU @ The Metro Theatre

• 10/29 – Osaka, JP @ Umeda Club Quattro

• 10/30 – Tokyo, JP @ Duo Music Exchange

• 11/01 – Perth, AU @ Urban Orchard

2026

• 01/21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre

• 01/22 – Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater

• 01/23–24 – Ardmore, PA @ Ardmore Music Hall

• 01/25 – Syracuse, NY @ The Westcott Theater

• 01/28 – Albany, NY @ Empire Live

• 01/29 – Hartford, CT @ Infinity Music Hall

• 01/30 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre

• 01/31 – Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre

• 02/01 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount

• 02/03 – Charlottesville, VA @ The Jefferson Theater

• 02/04 – Savannah, GA @ Victory North

• 02/05 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live

• 02/06 – Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live

• 02/07–12 – Miami, FL @ Jam Cruise 22

Lettuce is:
Adam Deitch – drums, percussion
Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff – guitar
Erick “Jesus” Coomes – bass
Ryan “Zoid” Zoidis – saxophones, synths
Eric “Benny” Bloom – trumpet, horns
Nigel Hall – vocals, Hammond B-3, Rhodes, clavinet, keyboards