Flea Steps Out of the Funk Shadow with Jazz-Infused Solo Debut, "Honora"

Michael Balzary – better known to the world as Flea—has been the kinetic, shirtless heartbeat of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But he’s traded his bass for the instrument that first stole his heart

The transition from a rock icon to a jazz leader might seem like a stretch for some, but for Flea, Honora is a project thirty-five years in the making. While he doesn't entirely abandon the bass, the record is defined by his trumpet playing—an instrument he mastered long before he ever met Anthony Kiedis. The result is an album that feels deeply personal, exploratory, and entirely distinct from the "frat-house funk" of his day job.

Here are the standout moments from Honora:

"Traffic Lights" (feat. Thom Yorke)

Reunited with his Atoms for Peace bandmate, Flea and Thom Yorke deliver a masterclass in atmospheric tension. This standout track is both "slithery and funky," built on a bubbling, elastic groove that captures a distinct sense of modern disorientation. Yorke’s crystalline vocals and haunting piano lines float over a soundscape that Flea describes as living in the "upside down." It is a rhythmic, high-vibration journey where Flea’s trumpet weaves through Yorke’s sensitive tenor, creating a dialogue that feels both alert and deeply curious.

"Wichita Lineman" (feat. Nick Cave)

Taking a pivot into the world of reimagined classics, Flea enlists the legendary Nick Cave for a "torch song" rendition of Jimmy Webb’s iconic "Wichita Lineman." This isn't the sweeping, orchestral version you might remember from Glen Campbell; instead, it’s a simple, stripped-back, and deeply effective reading. Cave’s baritone brings a heavy, melancholic weight to the lyrics, while Flea’s trumpet provides a soft, measured counterpoint. It is the most straightforward track on the album, yet it hits with a quiet, absorbing power.

"A Plea"

Serving as the album’s second track and core manifesto, "A Plea" finds Flea delivering an impassioned spoken-word appeal for human empathy over a loose, flute-supported jazz groove. While shouting mantras like “Live for peace!” and “Live for love!” might risk feeling heavy-handed in lesser hands, Flea’s raw earnestness makes the message land with genuine weight. This seven-and-a-half-minute journey is a tour de force that showcases his triple-threat capability on bass, trumpet, and vocals, effectively setting the tone for the sincere, meditative odyssey that follows.

"Thinkin Bout You"

One of the most unexpected highlights of the record is an instrumental reimagining of Frank Ocean’s modern R&B classic. Flea swaps the iconic vocal hook for a wistful arrangement of strings and his own soulful, contemplative trumpet work. The result is a gorgeous, cinematic piece that serves as proof that jazz isn't a museum piece for Flea—it is a living, breathing language he uses to translate the contemporary sounds he loves into something entirely new.

Whether he is reworking Funkadelic’s "Maggot Brain" with a Chet Baker-esque restraint or chanting over the shuffling rhythms of "Free As I Want to Be," Honora is a profound statement of artistic independence. It’s a pleasant detour for fans of the Chilis, but a mandatory listen for anyone looking for something truly different this week.

Sources:

• The New York Times
• Rolling Stone
• Bass Magazine
• The Guardian
• Nonesuch Records