New Day

This album is a collection of blues based soul/funk/R&B, mostly originals, with some classic romantic R&B material, featuring Richard Studholme on guitar/vocals with legends Andy Newmark, drums, Jim Leverton, bass, Josh Phillips, Hammond B3, The Incognito Horns, Hamish Stuart, Nico Ramsden, Tom Jaworski (also guitar) and the astounding Aloma Reid, vocals.
All recorded live to 2" tape, with minimal overdubbing.
Opening track was played on BBC Radio 2, The Paul Jones show 13/8/2012..

"FIRST RATE AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE" (Blues In Britain magazine)

Guitarist and multi instrumentalist Richard Studholme has many years of experience, and it comes through on the admirable "Life" CD...his 60's roots shine through on his fabulous version of The Rolling Stones instrumental, "2120 South Michigan Avenue" (Pipeline Instrumental Review)

"EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF BLUES AND SOUL" (Blues News, Finland)

"Many thanks to Richard and his band for a fabulous show at the Chichester Inn last night (20/04/2013). If you've never heard Richard before , I urge you to check out his new album "Life" at www.richardstudholme.com. He's written some suberb tracks: has a wonderfully natural voice (slightly reminiscent of John Hiatt I'd say) and plays great guitar. With legendary players such as Andy Newmark, Neil Hubbard, Chris Spedding, Jim Leverton and Hamish Stuart backing him, Richard is a talent that makes you wonder why you've only just discovered him" (Roots Around The World Chichester)

"While the advances in recording technology and lower prices for CD production allow almost anybody to release a recording, the downside of these advances is that the amount of available music has increased exponentially. There are plenty of talented musicians in the world each working hard to find an audience for their music. The sad fact that no matter how much you buy or listen to, there will be deserving recordings that slip by unnoticed. It would be a shame if the latest by British guitarist Richard Studholme was one of the releases that fell on deaf ears. A self-professed product of the musical revolutions that ranged from the 1950's to the 1970's, Studholme spent the 90's working in part for the JSP label, on recordings by the likes of Hubert Sumlin, Louisiana Red, Eric Bibb, and Carey Bell. His third solo project is a loving tribute to the music that captured his heart and inspired his career.
The opener, "How Ya Doin'" establishes an easy going groove that Studholme puntuates with some stinging guitar licks. The arrangement is bolstered by a strong statement from the horn section, comprised of Kevin Robinson, trumpet/flugelhorn, Patrick Clahar, tenor saxophone/flute, and Trevor Mires, trombone. All three are alumni of the acid jazz group Incognito. Next Studholme tackles the instrumental "2120 South Michigan Avenue". Powered by Andy Newmarks driving beat, the track takes off during Josh Phillip's organ solo, only to lose a bit of steam as Studholme's solo fails to go anywhere.
The leader shows his soulful side on Roy Lee Johnson's "Love Is Amazing", with a wistful vocal that floats over Leverton's thick bass line, and Josh Phillip's lush organ chords. The band rocks harder on another Johnson tune, "She Put The Whammy To Me", with Studholme firing off a hearty solo.
Throughout the disc, additional vocal support comes from Leverton, Nico Ramsden, Aloma Reid, Tom Jaworski and Hamish Stuart. Their presence is particularly notable on a solid cover of the Smokey Robinson classic "You've Really Got A Hold On Me". One of Studholme's strongest performances comes on "I Just Go" a Boz Scaggs ballad, that he sings with a world-weary tone over a bleak musical landscape.
Studholme's other originals include the hypnotic "Gotta Get Right" with another dynamic horn chart,, while "Little Mystery" boasts a seductive rhythm, and plenty of the leader's suble guitar work. "Working On The Bottom" adopts a soulful strut as Studholme bemoans his ability to make his way in the world. Once again, tight ensemble work from the horns spark the proceedings. Studholme tries to balance those thoughts with a Leverton composition, "New Day", a ballad that looks forward to a better day.
While the disc has only a few blues influences, it does a great job of presenting the many facets of American roots music. Studholme resists the urge to make this a "guitar" disc, with lots of lengthy solos. Instead, he stays focussed on vibrant material, with tight arrangements that certainly pay homage to the music he loves. Plenty to enjoy on this one! (Mark Thompson, Blues Blast Magazine)

This is probably the best true R&B album to have been recorded this year, with some great original material and hip covers. There is probably no better rhythm section around than Andy Newmark and Jim Leverton, the horn arrangements are truly astounding, both in arrangement and execution, and the guitar and organ are terrific, with short, sharp. to the point solos and no messing about. Vocals are really excellent, maybe could have been a little more up in the mix, as could Richard's guitar. But thats only a detail. I listen to this every day...
(Nigel Watts, North Kent/South East gig guide)

The July performance at The Bottleneck Blues Club with Richard Studholme and Friends, was one of the most mesmerising I can remember at the club. A band of consummate musicians, consisting of Andy Newmark, Hamish Stuart, Jim Leverton, and Josh Phillips, not to mention Richard himself, playing great music, maintaining it throughout the evening, and rightly receiving the accolade of a double encore from the audience. From the opening number, "Gotta Get Right", I was personally captivated, and have indeed been reliving this memory frequently on my car CD player, via the wonderful album, "Life". I hope you managed to get a copy, as this is a true landmark of great sonwriting, arrangement, performance, and production. If not, check out Richard's website www.richardstudholme.com for ways that you can secure a copy of this gem.

Richard Dobney, Bottleneck Blues Club, Rochester, July 30th 2013