Flea :: Honora
Photo: Ariel Fisher
When I first heard that Flea was working on a full length jazz album, I was absolutely ecstatic that he was finally taking the time to do something that not only honors his harmonious history with the genre, but also his cosmic connection to the revolutionary roots of his heroes like Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Lurie, Duke Ellington, Fela Kuti and John Coltrane, to name a few. These intense individuals have an incredibly iconic impact on society, culture, politics, and the mysteries of the metaphysical world, and Flea is here to unlock that unique universe, the only way he knows how, and that’s through the power of music. This album isn’t just special because it’s simply a record by an incredibly famous musician and artist. It truly holds a liberating light during these disturbingly dark times, something Flea absolutely understands. Just as his peers responded during their times on this mortal marble, the legendary bassist continues that traditional flame of fundamentals by lighting a poetic path through the never-ending madness we face every single day, where there’s another side to all this criminal chaos. Featuring a brilliant cast of creative characters and prolific players from all across the pond, like Jeff Parker, Deantoni Parks, Mauro Refosco, Nathaniel Walcott, and guests Nick Cave, Chad Smith, and Thom Yorke, “Honora”, which means honor, or woman of honor, signifying respect, dignity, and integrity, is an esoteric explosion that eagerly enlightens listeners from start to finish, no matter what side of the withering body of water you choose to stand on.
Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Its essence is experimental, while simultaneously combining the eager efforts of intensity, rage, and cultural compositions, Flea brings to the sonic surface an exciting harvest of fractal fruits and vigorous vegetables ready to feed and rapidly replenish the people of the earth in the most honorable way. Similar to a biblical bomb going off, its radical range reaches the mortal masses like a whispering wave of iron fists ready for the feverish fight of a generation. Flea reflects on our current political power over the innocent in the seven-minute manifesto “A Plea,” as the artistic atmosphere builds within the album’s ten tracks. It pours into the streets, hearts, and souls of the people in a way that would ultimately make the late, great Gil Scott-Heron proud, as well as other lyrical legends who are no longer with us. Written and recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood and Soundtree in London in the winter of 2025, “Honora” takes listeners on an incredibly epic journey through the mind, and it’s complicated circuits by way of train, boat, aircraft, and spaceship. Featuring tracks like “Willow Weep For Me,” a brilliant cover of Funkadelic’s 1971 masterpiece “Maggot Brain,”"Thinkin Bout You,” and “Free As I Want To Be,” the record stands on its own two legs with the help of a critically creative community that aids in helping spread the meditative message that we’re not alone, and we will prevail.
