Following on from the acclaimed On Other Dreams: London EP, featuring SHOLTO, Rachel Kitchlew and David Bardon, Italian producer and musician Isaac de Martin returns with more re-imaginings from 2025’s highly praised On Higher Dreams LP, this time recorded in the Egyptian capital. Last year’s debut for Wah Wah 45s blended jazz and electronic influences into warm, evocative, global soundscapes. Having signed to the label, IKE spent much of 2025 between the UK, his Italian homeland and one of his favourite and most inspiring places on earth, Egypt, connecting with musicians and creatives with a view to always expanding his international sound. It was in Cairo, and its surrounding areas, where he engaged with local musicians like nay player Mody El Shaafee, pianist Sherif Moustafa, percussionist Hany Zain and drummer Islam Magdy. Isaac himself explains more:
“In December 2025 I returned to Egypt for the third time, the place where the album first grounded its roots. This time it was for a two-concert tour, which may not sound like much, but considering the distances, the sand, and the people I encountered, it was plenty. Together with six musicians from Cairo we performed at Bahareya Oasis, a six-hour drive south from the capital, and at Heliopolis University, where the music was addressed to the faculty students as it was for the local farmers and workers at the Oasis. I brought some recording equipment with me to capture the Heliopolis concert. Back home I decided to select the same three songs we had recorded in London, mirroring the repertoire between two cities that are at once so similar and so different.”
Credits:
IKE Guitar & Mixing
Felipe Vignolo Guitar
Mody El Shaafee Nay
Sherif Moustafa Piano
Moris Emil Electric Bass
Hany Zain Percussions
Islam Magdy Drums
Recorded live at Heliopolis University (Cairo) 8th December 2025
Reactions & Radio Play
Radio play from DJ Ritu (Resonance FM), Alan McKinnon (Totally Wired Radio), Plum FM (France), Slowlife Sound System (2SER 107.3FM Sydney, Australia)
“Love SIDDA!” DJ Ritu (Resonance FM)
“Love this!” Mera Bhai (Flamingods / Daytimers, UK)
“Really nice!” Emanative (Jazzman / Brownswood, UK)
“I love this concept and the fusing with the visitors and local musicians has produced such very fine results – loving this – will play often for myself as well as on air.” Debbie Golt (Resonance 104.4FM, UK)
“Great versions.” Ahu (Istanbul, Turkey)
“Sublime versions. A tonic for the soul!” DJ Jazzcat (Ness Radio, Italy)
“This is good! Sidda is the track for me. Moving Soundtrack! Bravo!” DJ Soulist (Souleance, France)
“Adore this, thanks!” For Mankind (Pikes, Ibiza)
“Nice one!” Matthieu Schreyer (KCRW, USA)
“Very nice mix of western and eastern grooves!” Raj Seli (Solar Radio, UK)
“Brilliant versions! Keep up the great work!” DJ Six (Various, Uganda)
“Brilliant!” Eric Tchaikovsky (Night Light Radio Show, Ukraine)
“Love the local musicality in these versions, sounds lovely. I’ll be supporting for sure. Thanks for the release.” DJ Nelito (Power FM, UK)
“Thank you for the chance to hear such great music. It’s a wonderful release.” Dazzle Drums (Block Party, Japan)
“Superbe versions.” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Superb!” Mark Daley (Soho Radio, UK)
“Love them.” Chris Ex (Black Radio Berlin, Germany)
“What a beautiful mystic journey!” Dob Marzov (Radio Varna, Bulgaria)
“Loved London Sessions, and love Cairo Sessions too, amazing. Love IKE music! Full support.” Enrique Domenech (CKUT, Canada)
“SIDDA me plait beaucoup mais tout est vraiment chouette.” Leonard (Plum FM, France)
“Enjoying these a lot. Some really interesting elements.” Steve KIW (1BTN, UK)
“Amazing switch between the original and the cairo version.” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Sounds interesting…” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“Nice one!” DJ Junior (Record Breakin’, USA)
“Really moving and so suited to where they were recorded.” DJ Mr Lob (Melbourne, Australia)
“Interesting concept.” Radoslav Tomek (NuSpirit Bar, Slovakia)
“Adding and playing!” Jason Pulaski (KUCI 88.9FM, USA)
“Lovely stuff.” Ross Wakefield (Frankson, UK)
“Amazing!” Mark Ward (Sideways Through Sound, Australia)
“Nice ones!” Tjerk (Armada Music, The Netherlands)
“This is an absolute joy fusing italian & Egypt under the banner of all things jazz and beyond.” Aja Allsop (Ketch-a-vibe, UK)
“Nice!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax 95.9FM, Germany)
“Cleverly imagined re-workings of the original album tracks sounding like the theme to an Egyptian blockbuster – an action movie with, perhaps, an underlying criminal theme. Lovely arrangements, musicianship, instrumentation and atmosphere.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
“Club/radio ready for the souk.” Gerry hectic (You and the Music, UK)
