Flea played Webster Hall

Joined by an all-star cast of some of modern jazz's best players, Flea has embarked on his first ever solo tour in support of his debut solo record Honora.

It's hard to believe that after decades of playing in the Red Hot Chili Peppers as well as various stints in other groups, Flea somehow never got around to releasing an album on his own. Revered as one of the world's greatest living bass players, Flea has been making an impression on the music world for over forty years, but even through all of his wildest antics, it still was a shock to most that when he finally did announce his own record, that he'd be following a path similar to another icon, André 3000, and release a jazz album. Through his time in the Chili Peppers, Flea has also become rather synonymous with the LA music scene as well and not just in big time rock circles. A few years ago, Flea wanted to improve his bass skills and reached out to a person named Anna Butterss. In addition to making their own music, Butterss is also a member of the jazz group SML which also happens to feature Josh Johnson on saxophone. Johnson not only plays on the record with Butterss and Flea, but also produced the album as well. Johnson and Butterss also happen to both be members of Jeff Parker's (the guitarist from '90s post-rock titans Tortoise) ETA VItet (who will release an album of their own this coming Friday) and he plays electric guitar on this record too. Holding things down behind the drums is Deantoni Parks, another established musician who also happened to play on André 3000's New Blue Sun. The scene runs tight, but to see Flea find himself jamming with this illustrious talent was an immediate signal that this would be an album worth exploring. As they brought these tracks to life on stage, the band stretched and flexed their muscles, giving every new opportunities to explore grooves and find solos that would enhance each number dramatically. Watching Flea and Butterss riff opposing bass lines off each other allowed them to both get down and dirty, the contrast of electric vs stand-up making for such rich and detailed sounds that would lock in with one another to form head-spinning moments of sonic wonder. On electric keys and saxophone, Josh Johnson also found a groove with Flea when he picked up his trumpet and the two intertwined their melodies for more moments of rather spectacular musicianship. Watching Flea hold it all down in the middle, boogying down as he dug up some really funky grooves that were thick, heavy, and all gnarled up was of course a marvel. His control over his instrument is unparalleled and it was mesmerizing to see him bound across the stage while laying down these ridiculous beats. "Traffic Lights" buried into knotty funk and electric-fusion jazz, the keys dancing along the punching bass and bright guitar licks. On "Frailed," the group hit their most inspiring notes of the night, their nimbleness allowing them to move around the track with such stunning rhythms, it was a momentous feat and one that had the entire room enraptured as we watched these bright talents bring out the best in one another, each one finding focus and also new ways to give the songs enriching snippets of musical treasure. Taking off his shirt and dipping into more spoken-word pieces, the stage lit up for "A Plea," the band tightening things up for more of their structured moments that allowed them to also delve into their heavier side. Putting the microphone down again for a bit, the band slipped into their stunning take on Frank Ocean's timeless tune "Thinkin Bout You," a triumphant reimagining of the song that sparkled with absolute beauty, Flea's lyrical trumpet playing a total joy and inspiration, giving the new and Frank's vocals pure justice. Ending his main set with another cover, this time Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain" was another fine example of the band finding their way together to bring all of their styles into something exciting and refreshing. Wrapping things up, Flea implored the crowd to continue to see live music and find new bands to support, something that felt extra true and authentic when looking at the musicians who were standing by him on stage.

Set list:

01 "Good Night Darius"
02 "Traffic Lights"
03 "Shred of Hope"

04 "Wichita Lineman" [Jimmy Webb cover]
05 "Frailed"
06 "Golden Wingship"
07 "A Plea"
08 "Morning Cry"
09 "Free as I Want to Be"
10 "Thinkin Bout You" [Frank Ocean cover]
11 "Maggot Brain" [Funkadelic cover]
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12 "Lovelovelove"