Wah Wah 45s are excited to present a brand new signing for 2025. The music of Isaac de Martin, otherwise known as IKE, blends jazz and electronic influences into warm, smooth, and often cinematic soundscapes. A certain eclecticism is not surprising considering that the composer, producer and guitarist was born in Italy into a musical family with British roots, studied classical guitar, graduated in jazz and went on to develop his personal style through creative experimentation, live touring and collaborative work with artists from a variety of disciplines and countries.
Under the shadow of the pandemic, IKE headed to Egypt, a country that has always held a deep fascination for him. Finding sanctuary between teaching at Cairo’s Heliopolis University and observing the progress of an ecological development community, the creative foundation of IKE’s forthcoming LP, entitled On Higher Dreams began to take form.
The first single to be taken from the album is the gorgeous SIDDA. Named (backwards) in honour of Addis (Abeba), the capital of Ethiopia, and the country where the Blue Nile starts. The track, which also opens the forthcoming album, follows the river from its source, through Egypt and up to its mouth in the Mediterranean sea.
The song’s introduction is inspired by the Ethiopian Mahmoud Ahmed’s song Ashweyna, meaning “child of the star” in Hindu. Siddha itself, in Sanskrit, means “one who is accomplished”, and refers to the masters who have achieved a high degree of intellectual perfection, as well as liberation or enlightenment. This state of being is a good first step to Higher Dreams.
REACTIONS & RADIO PLAY
“This is gorgeous.” Colleen Cosmo Murphy (Worldwide FM, The Loft, UK)
“Like this!” Kev Beadle (Totally Wired Radio, UK)
“This is fantastic.” Paul Murphy (Jazz Room Records, UK)
“Wow, strong release.” Ket Shah (Mucho Soul, Totally Wired Radio, UK)
“I love the full track but yes the radio edit is very useful … I can’t wait for the full album – what a great way to start the year.” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM, UK)
“Super!” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Timeless, cinematic and beautiful.” DJ Mr Lob (Various, Melbourne, Australia)
“Great… jazzy start then getting further out in mysterious and interesting ways!” DJ Nigel Wood (Ear To The Globe, Dublin City FM, Ireland)
“Fantastic.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Cor, this is lovely – top start to ’25.” Steve KIW (Balearic Assassins, UK)
“Wow! Deep Cinematic Egyptian Spiritual Jazz! Love it, can’t wait to listen to the full album!” Enrique Domenech (Freeform / CKUT, Spain / Canada)
“Lovely!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Nice track!” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)
“I love the sound!” DJ Mitch (MVUM, Miami, USA)
“WOW!!! Will play this for sure in our Global Riddims.” Tony Heyen (Global Riddims, Brussels, Belgium)
“Pure excellence.” Markus Milz (Radio Corax 94.9FM, Germany)
“Lovely stuff… ace!” Cal Gibson (Secret Soul Society, UK)
“Vocally, stylistically, this reminds me of the Brasilian Tamba Trio and there are definite elements of MPB and samba emerging in the complex instrumental arrangement. The tune builds and develops very satisfactorily and in unexpected ways, managing to sit well outside of any discernible mainstream genres. Freat ending. I thought the musical theme was in some way familiar, couldn’t pin it to Mahmoud Ahmed but I see it now.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
“Looking forward to the album [as] You’ll recall the single, ‘Sidda’ as a melange of ambient proggy “Ethio-Egyptian influenced jazz” wrapped in a Italian OST heritage envelope plus some Swingle Singers-esque cherry on the cake.” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
