One Hot Minute is the sixth studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 12, 1995, by Warner Bros. Records. The worldwide success of the band’s previous album Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) caused guitarist John Frusciante to become uncomfortable with their popularity, eventually quitting mid-tour in 1992.
Following a series of short-term replacements, the band hired guitarist Dave Navarro in 1993; it was his only studio album with the band. Recording for the album took place at the Sound Factory in Hollywood from June 1994 to February 1995. It marked the second collaboration between the band and producer Rick Rubin.
A departure from the funk of Blood Sugar Sex Magik, One Hot Minute is characterized by heavy metal riffs and psychedelic rock influences, primarily due to the influence of Navarro, formerly of Jane’s Addiction.
Vocalist Anthony Kiedis, who had resumed addictions to cocaine and heroin in 1994 after being sober for more than five years, approached his lyricism with a reflective outlook on drugs and their harsh effects. As such, the lyrics reflect mostly dark and melancholy themes. Bassist Flea sang lead vocals on “Pea”, as well as the outro of “Deep Kick” and the chorus of the album outtake “Stretch”.
One Hot Minute sold more than two million copies and was certified multi-platinum, and reached number four on the US Billboard 200. It also spawned three hit singles: “Warped”, “My Friends” and “Aeroplane”. Nevertheless, it was considered a commercial disappointment, because it sold fewer than half as many copies as Blood Sugar Sex Magik and received much less acclaim. Navarro was fired in 1998 due to his drug use, after which Frusciante returned to the band.
Red Hot Chili Peppers had released Blood Sugar Sex Magik in 1991. The album was an instant hit, selling more than seven million copies in the United States, and turned the band into an international sensation. Guitarist John Frusciante was having difficulty coping with the band’s newfound fame and began to dislike it.
Frusciante often argued with his band mates and sabotaged performances. He began taking heroin and steadily increased his usage of the drug over time. Frusciante ultimately quit the band in 1992, during the Japanese leg of their tour. Frusciante returned to his home in California and became a recluse.
Stunned, the remaining Chili Peppers, who had no suitable replacement, hired Arik Marshall to play the remaining dates after being forced to reschedule. Upon returning to Hollywood, the band placed an ad in the L.A. Weekly for open guitar auditions, which Kiedis considered to be a waste of time.
After several months of unsuccessfully looking for a suitable guitarist, drummer Chad Smith suggested Dave Navarro. He had always been the band’s first choice, but was busy recording Deconstruction with Eric Avery following the 1991 breakup of Jane’s Addiction. Navarro eventually accepted the position after productive jam sessions.
Tracklist:
- Warped
- Aeroplane
- Deep Kick
- My Friends
- Coffee Shop
- Pea
- One Big Mob
- Walkabout
- Tearjerker
- One Hot Minute
- Falling into Grace
- Shallow Be Thy Game
- Transcending
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Anthony Kiedis: lead vocals
Dave Navarro: guitars, backing vocals
Flea: bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on “Pea” and co-lead vocals on “Deep Kick”
Chad Smith: drums, percussion
Additional musicians
Keith “Tree” Barry: violin on “Tearjerker”
Jimmy Boyle: backing vocals on “One Big Mob”
Louis Mathieu: backing vocals on “One Big Mob”
Lenny Castro: percussion on “Walkabout”, “My Friends”, “One Hot Minute”, “Deep Kick”, and “Tearjerker”
Aimee Echo: backing vocals on “One Hot Minute”, “One Big Mob”
Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa: chants on “Falling into Grace”
John Lurie: harmonica on “One Hot Minute”
Stephen Perkins: percussion on “One Big Mob”, “Warped” and “Bob” (iTunes bonus track)
Kristen Vigard: backing vocals on “Falling into Grace”
Gabriel James Navarro: crying on “One Big Mob”
The Aeroplane Kids: backing vocals on “Aeroplane”
Production
Stephen Marcussen: mastering engineer
Rick Rubin: producer
Dave Sardy: mixing engineer, recording engineer
Dave Schiffman: engineer
Don C. Tyler: digital editor
Design
Mark Ryden: album artwork
