Flea: Honora album and video release

In 2018 I was hired to record a Pathway to Paris event at The Masonic in San Francisco that featured Patti Smith, Bob Weir, and Flea, and was organized by Smith’s daughter, Jesse Paris Smith. Hearing Patti Smith and the assembled musicians sing “Power to the People” was pretty amazing, but the other highlight of the evening was the solo set by Flea. He played bass and trumpet, used a looping pedal and other effects, and his set was a collection of cool, eclectic jazz instrumentals. 

His first solo LP,  Honora, continues this exploration, and shows another side of the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist. He’s again playing trumpet and bass, and is joined by a stellar cast of contributors including Anna Butterss, Deantoni Parks, Jeff Parker (Tape Op #165), Thom Yorke, Nick Cave, Nate Walcott, his Chili Peppers bandmates Chad Smith and John Frusciante (#61), and many others. 

Josh Johnson produced, Ryan Hewitt (#61) mixed, and Eric Boulanger mastered the album. 

Very cool listen. 

Check out the album and the video for the second track, “A Plea”, which was directed by his daughter Clara Balzary, below.