Flea, whose debut solo album, Honora, is due March 27 on Nonesuch, stopped by for the Nonesuch Selects video series, in which artists visit the Nonesuch office, pick some of their favorite albums from the music library, and share a few words on their choices. He chose recordings by Henryk Górecki, Jeff Parker ETA IVtet, Brian Eno & David Byrne, Bulgarian State Television Female Choir, and Ambrose Akinmusire. 

Flea has shared his take on Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You,” reinterpreting the Channel Orange classic as an instrumental and orchestral ballad. Led by Flea’s electric bass and trumpet, the song features upright bass from Anna Butterss and strings arranged and orchestrated by Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes). You can hear it here and watch the song’s visualizer, with direction, animation, and illustration by @nespy5euro, here.

After a nearly five-decade career as one of his generation’s defining rock bassists, Flea releases his first full-length solo album, Honora, March 27, on Nonesuch. Flea composed and arranged the music and plays trumpet and bass throughout, joined by an elite crew of modern jazz visionaries: album producer and saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Deantoni Parks. The record features vocals from Flea, as well as friends Thom Yorke and Nick Cave. Mauro Refosco and Nate Walcott, among others, also join the band. Honora comprises six original songs, plus interpretations of tunes by George Clinton and Eddie Hazel, Jimmy Webb, Frank Ocean and Shea Taylor, and Ann Ronell. The track “Traffic Lights,” co-written with Thom Yorke and Josh Johnson and featuring vocals, piano, and synth from Yorke, is out now; you can watch a visualizer by nespy5euro here.

Flea’s original song “A Plea,” is out now. Written and performed by Flea, “A Plea” urges listeners to “build a bridge, shine a light, make something beautiful and see somebody, give it to somebody.” Featuring Flea on electric bass, vocals, and trumpet, the ensemble also includes double bassist Anna Butterss and guitarist Jeff Parker, as well as drummer Deantoni Parks, percussionist Mauro Refosco, alto flutist Rickey Washington, and trombonist Vikram Devasthali. Chris Warren joins on vocals, as does the song’s producer Josh Johnson, who also plays alto saxophone. The music video is directed by Clara Balzary and features choreography by Sadie Wilking.