‘Essential Tremors’ is the debut solo showcase of Cathal Roche, an improvising saxophonist based in Co. Sligo, in the Atlantic north west of Ireland. The extended performance for baritone, alto, and soprano saxophones was recorded at St George’s Church and Heritage Centre, Carrick on Shannon, 2021, in the Nyahh label’s native Co. Leitrim, by Willie Stewart.

Here, left to his own devices, Roche colours the air with a seductive display of versatility and virtuosity; initially hovering around liminal levels of extended instrumentals, and stealthily growing to a more full-bodied silhouette, and around the 1o minute mark commanding swarming dynamics comparable to Alex Zhang Hungtai. Cathal’s disciplined control of volume and tone is key to its grip, as he proceeds, pregnant with noirish dread, to blow ribbons of anguished blues - sax keys audible in the space - that hits all the right notes for lovers of late night musical introspection.

Comes in lovely gatefold card with art by Alan Doyle