A Review by, Samantha Syrnich TLC
In a world where music often feels commodified and fleeting, the emergence of Al Nesbitt & The Alchemy stands as a profound testament to the enduring power of raw, instrumental soul. This supergroup, a harmonious convergence of virtuoso talents, feels like the universe’s bespoke offering to my weary spirit—a luminous gift wrapped in sonic alchemy that ignites the heart and soothes the soul. Comprising guitarist and composer Al Nesbitt, bassist Tony “The Fretless Monster” Franklin, drummer Curt “Kirkee B.” Bisquera, and keyboardist Jonathan Sindelman, the band materialized as a fresh force in 2024, debuting with a live performance captured in their EP Live From Seattle. Al Nesbitt, the visionary architect behind this ensemble, drew these legends together to forge something transcendent: a blend of pop, rock, classical, and elemental grooves that defies genre while channeling pure, unadulterated soul. Inspired by the storied aura of places like the Chateau Marmont, Nesbitt began composing with an immediate, intuitive fervor, enlisting these master musicians to breathe life into his evocative visions.
Al Nesbitt himself is a guitarist’s guitarist, with decades of international touring under his belt, sharing stages with multi-Grammy winners and leading workshops that inspire the next generation of players.
His journey, rooted in youthful immersion across diverse musical traditions, shifted profoundly in 2018 toward the intimate magic of acoustic guitar, where his virtuosic technique and emotive compositions shine brightest. Joining him is Tony Franklin, the English rock icon born in 1962, whose fretless bass innovations have graced collaborations with legends like Jimmy Page in The Firm, David Gilmour, Roy Harper, Whitesnake, and Kate Bush. Franklin’s big break came in 1984, but his love affair with the fretless began in 1979 upon discovering Jaco Pastorius, transforming him into a sonic force capable of weaving melodic tapestries that pulse with life. On drums, Curt Bisquera—affectionately known as Kirkee B.—brings his Santa Maria, California-born versatility, honed since his 1964 birth through sessions and tours with Elton John, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, Tina Turner, and beyond. Starting as a young drummer who moved to LA without reading music, Bisquera evolved into one of the industry’s most sought-after rhythm architects, delivering precision and fire across rock and pop landscapes. Rounding out the quartet is Jonathan Sindelman, a globe-trotting keyboardist and sound designer whose genre-defying prowess has illuminated stages and studios since his professional debut at age 14. With credits alongside Grammy winners like Googoosh and the Alan White Band, Sindelman’s arrangements and compositions add layers of depth, drawing from a lifetime of programming, arranging, and performing that spans classical to contemporary.
Their sound? Astonishing—an eruption of soul music that grips you from the first note, heart and soul entwined in every measure. Tracks like “The Lost Night” from their Live From Seattle EP propel you into a whirlwind of elemental urgency, where instruments converse in a language more eloquent than words. No lyrics are needed here; the guitars weep with raw emotion, the bass throbs like a living pulse, the keys swirl in cosmic elegance, and the drums thunder with primal drive. It’s beauty distilled—untamed, ungraspable, yet profoundly intimate.
The band’s synergy is impeccable, a seamless fusion that unfolds like a rock ‘n’ roll romance, each member locked in perfect harmony while allowing individual brilliance to soar.
Their video style amplifies this exhilaration: dynamic visuals of earth’s fiery core, towering mountains, surging seas, and stormy plains mirror the music’s boundless adventure, evoking a timeless human essence unbound by terrestrial limits.
Every encounter with their work elevates my spirit, a blessing that reignites passion and wonder. This is soul music at its most visceral—sexy, smoky, on fire, with a heat that commands mastery and surrender in equal measure.
Al Nesbitt & The Alchemy have captured my heart in all the best ways, and I declare myself a devotee for life. I urge fellow music lovers to immerse yourselves in this magic: stream and download their tracks on every platform imaginable—Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube Music, and beyond—to let their soul-stirring grooves become a staple in your world. Start your journey with “The Lost Night” here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WUbRYz5qflA.
— Samantha Syrnich TLC
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