On the superb title track of I Cross This Universe, Malachy Tuohy — frontman of Choice-nominated The Riptide Movement — strips himself so bare you can hear the creak of his piano pedal, which takes some cojones, especially on your solo debut. His courage is well-rewarded, as he delivers a timeless love song.

'Song For Suzie; is a tribute to the late Tony Colton, a good friend of Tuohy's, former bandleader of magnificently named The Crawdaddies and producer of Rory Gallagher's mighty Taste.

The song, originally released in 1971, was written by Colton and Mr. Telecaster himself, the great Albert Lee, who remarkably guests on the tearjerking track. 'Requiem' and 'Jarlath', meanwhile, feature another big gun in Moya Brennan, who adorns both tracks with her ethereal vocals.

Tuohy dramatically changes gear on 'Most Of The Time', opting for a more laid-back approach, jauntily addressing the rollercoaster of life. "No one wants to know you when you are lower than a badger's arse," he sings. "But they all want to know you when you are up there, top of the charts." Simply marvellous.

Elsewhere, the catchy 'Lemonade' is followed by 'Rainy Boy Sleep', a stirring tribute to Stevie Martin, the talented singer-songwriter known as Rainy Boy Sleep. Powerful stuff.

8/10