Flea's Under-the-Radar Session Work Beyond the Chili Peppers

Flea, the acclaimed bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has crafted a treasury of memorable bass riffs throughout his career. Yet his talents don’t fully reside within the confines of his main gig. When he's not performing with the Chili Peppers, Flea takes his skills to the studio, often unannounced, to contribute as a session musician. While some tracks featuring Flea have his unmistakable stamp, others showcase his ability to seamlessly merge with a band's dynamic, exemplifying his musical versatility and dedication to the essence of the song.

Contributions to Various Genres and Icons

Flea’s passion for music permeates beyond his own body, and he has captured this essence in recordings that might surprise many listeners. Building a playlist of Flea’s lesser-known performances is a journey worth taking for any music aficionado.

In 2005, Tracy Chapman's song Change from the album Where You Live received a touch of Flea's bass excellence. Flea's work on this track demonstrates the significance of restraint, complementing Chapman's stirring lyrics without overpowering them.

By 2013, Flea had joined Thom Yorke's Atoms for Peace, a group that emerged to perform Yorke’s solo work and eventually produced the album AMOK. Flea's adaptation of Yorke's electronic pieces into soulful, live renditions proves his vast adaptability as a musician.

Johnny Cash’s rendition of Heart of Gold from the album Unearthed in 2003 brought together Cash, producer Rick Rubin, and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Sharing the studio with bandmates Frusciante and Smith, Flea lays down a straightforward groove that marries the Nashville sound with Californian style under Rubin’s direction.

In 1993, Flea added his bass prowess to Mick Jagger's Out of Focus from the album Wandering Spirit, injecting a profound groove that carries an otherwise average tune to greater heights of spiritual funkiness.

Lastly, Alanis Morissette's rage-filled anthem You Oughta Know from her 1995 album Jagged Little Pill wouldn’t be as potent without Flea's funky bass lines, which elevate the track's raw emotion and lyrical attack.

Flea’s bass has left a lasting imprint on a variety of music, often where fans least expect it, solidifying his status as a diverse and selfless musician committed to the soul of each song he touches.

Flea, session, diversity