Flea has announced a new solo album that will be released next year on Nonesuch Records. As yet untitled, it finds the Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist returning to his first instrument, the trumpet, and it’s being previewed today by ‘A Plea’, which almost sounds like it could have made Geordie Greep’s own solo debut. Check it out via the music video, directed by Flea’s daughter Clara Balzary and featuring choreography by Sadie Wilking, below.
‘A Plea’ urges listeners “build a bridge, shine a light, make something beautiful and see somebody, give it to somebody,” according to Flea. It features him on electric bass, vocals, and trumpet, backed by double bassist Anna Butterss, guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Deantoni Parks, percussionist Mauro Refosco, alto flutist Rickey Washington, and trombonist Vikram Devasthali. Chris Warren contributes vocals, as does the song’s producer, Josh Johnson, who also plays alto saxophone.
Flea described the song’s lyrics as “yearning for a place beyond, a place of love, for me to speak my mind and be myself. I’m always just trying to be myself.” He added, “I don’t care about the act of politics. I think there is a much more transcendent place above it where there’s discourse to be had that can actually help humanity, and actually help us all to live harmoniously and productively in a way that’s healthy for the world. There’s a place where we meet, and it’s love.”
