It’s been quite a while since the release of the last album, and in that time an awful lot has happened,” writes Greg Carmichael in the notes for Acoustic Alchemy’s long-awaited new album, 33 1/3. The band’s last studio album, Roseland, came out in 2011, followed by Live In London in 2014. Since then, fans have been eager for new music, often asking, “When’s the new album coming out?” According to Miles Gilderdale, the answer took time because the band only records when they truly have something to say. That time was further extended by personal hardship—Greg’s wife, Jan, was suddenly struck with meningitis in 2015, a traumatic experience that left her permanently affected and paused Greg’s creativity. Despite this, with support from guest guitarists Steve Oliver and Nate Najar, the band continued touring, and Jan’s strength eventually inspired Greg to return to writing.Now, over three decades into their career, Acoustic Alchemy continues to defy genre labels, blending their signature nylon and steel guitar sound with a wide range of influences. On 33 1/3, the band explores jazz (“A Little Closer”), blues (“Blues for Mr. Mu”), Caribbean rhythms (“The Girl With A Plan”), Eastern melodies (“East of Babylon”), and classical forms (“Allemande,” “Prelude in D Minor”). Despite the diversity, the album still feels distinctly like Acoustic Alchemy. As Miles puts it, “The band has changed a lot over the years… but we always somehow make it sound like Acoustic Alchemy.
