I second Kai - I've literally never heard of you, and your playing and your music are both incredible! What a mix of influences and styles. Best of luck with all you do - Bryan Beller, bass player with Steve Vai, Dweezil Zappa and Bass Player magazine columnist, USA.

Alkimia has been four years in the making – fans of Franc’s music and his previous CD “Esprit” have been bursting at the seams in expectation and here it is!! Was it worth waiting for?......yes, unquestionably yes!! This album is a journey musically, culturally and geographically. Haunting Irish melodies, pulsating African and Flamenco rhythms all contribute to this fascinating new offering from virtuoso bassist Franc O’Shea. Supported brilliantly by an array of superb musicians, Franc has created one of those albums which, on first hearing, really grabs you and then just gets better and better . Each time you listen another layer is revealed, another influence is exposed. Gone are the saxophones, trumpets and big drumkits of “Esprit”, good as they are, to make way for superb percussion, exhilarating flamenco guitars, Irish and Spanish flavoured flutes and gypsy influenced violin which is “to die for” . Woven through all these is the superlative bass playing of Franc driving the melodies on, always there but never overpowering. “Alkimia”, intriguing and exciting, is laden with hidden musical surprises waiting to be discovered in every nook and cranny of its labyrinthine structures. An undoubted triumph for composer Franc. Enjoy - Chris Rutheford, Sussex, UK.

An album of gorgeous, innovative music played with virtuosic musicianship: Alkimia amply demonstrates that Franc O'Shea is not just a brilliant jazz bassist whose style bears comparison to the immortal Jaco, but also a gifted composer with the rare talent of combining seemingly disparate styles of music (Arabic, African, and Celtic for a start) into a seamless tapestry of melody and rhythm. By turns beautiful, serene, edgy, and driving, Alkimia rewards repeated listenings and reveals new depths with each hearing. Highly recommended! - Dr Maybe, www.drmaybe.net, New York, USA.

You should include a warning label within the CD: “WARNING - THIS CD WILL CAUSE CONSTANT AMAZEMENT AND COMPULSORY LISTENING”. It is brilliant! It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a new CD so much, there is so much going on, there is something for all musicians to get into, the playing is fantastic. A must for any musician, there is something for everyone. - Chris Garner, Herts, UK.

Amazing Cd, amazing bass player. Alkimia is my Cd of 2006. If you've not got a copy, buy one, you will love it!!! - Mark Yates, Manchester, UK.

What a treat, excellent recording and the composition keeps my head spinning, never a dull moment. Congratulations on a stunning album! - Joey Fabian, California, USA.

I really love it, the creativity, the basslines, the cross-cultural connections musically and spiritually, the diversity, it's a real gem as they say in Holland. Take care and hope to see you live one day! - Harold Herrewegh, Surrey, UK.

Alkimia is like a great banquet with a broad spectrum of rich and diverse talent on display. Franc as a generous host enables each instrument to shine brightly. His trademark bass playing flows from background to foreground dancing in harmonious beauty with his guests - Sean Rutheford, Orkney Islands, Scotland.

Wow! You are a genius! It is not only harmonically brilliant and displaying of chops, but beautiful, coherent and varied. One of my best musical buys in a while! .... - Japhlet Bire Attias, Mexico/USA.

I LOVE the new album, I haven't been able to listen to anything else since I got it! - Nick Wells, Oxford, UK.

Just purchased Alkimia. After listening to it, I don't have any more socks...they've all be knocked off! Now I have to go buy new socks. It has been my pleasure to listen to your art, and I have a deep, abiding respect for your talent. Knowing you has been one of the highlights of the year – Pinky Mendez, Staten Island, US.

Simply beautiful...Great compositions....great band that works extremely well together....absolutely brilliant bass playing & that percussionist has obviously been playing all his life too! Simply brilliant! & a wonderful piece of art! Thank you very much - Josef D, New Zealand.

Your album is everything I had hoped for and more. I haven't heard anything like it before - I feel inspired enough to pick up my fretless again, and that hasn't happened since I first heard "Heavy Weather" by Weather Report a good few moons ago. Good job – James McCartney, Uxbridge, UK.

Love it Love it!!!!. You are now in my top eight. Yep thats right... I wish you lived closer I would recruit you for my band....Cañizares is my favorite guitarist on the planet and Rubem and Jorge are totally chill...... - Berto Chico, flamenco guitarist, USA.

I absolutely love it, your bass playing is amazing...- Barend Tromp, The Netherlands.

Absolutely beautiful music!! Killin'...Love it!... Hope our musical paths cross sometime soon - Damian Erskine, bassist, nephew of world-renowned drummer Peter Erskine (Weather Report), USA.

I remember your playing from the Bass Talk record. You are truly a fantastic player, and I love your style. I wish you continued success, and I hope we'll have a chance to meet in person one day, as well. All the best to you! - Adam Nitti, bass player with Dave Weckl band, Scott Henderson, Mike Stern and Bass Player magazine columnist, USA.

The music fusion that you have achieved is really good and your virtuosity when playing it. Congratulations. - Freddy Valeriani, bassist, composer, producer, Madrid, Spain.

Your music sounds amazing! - Oli Savill, percussionist with Pet Shop Boys, Da Lata, Basement Jaxx, UK.

Check also the excellent reviews about Franc and Alkimia on 'What the media say' and the brilliant comments appearing on his new page www.myspace.com/francosheamusic.