A year on since we first opened your ears to the lush, cinematic, international sounds of Italian producer and musician Isaac de Martin, and following on from the recent Clay EP, IKE returns with more re-imaginings from 2025’s highly praised On Higher Dreams LP.
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 in his new “second home” of London, connecting with musicians and creatives with a view to always expanding his global sound. It was in the capital that he had previously met harpist Rachel Kitchlew, bass player David Bardon and esteemed drummer Sholto, and it wasn’t long before this newly formed quartet were working on reinterpreting some of the highlights from the album. Isaac himself explains more:
“I met Rachel Kitchlew, SHOLTO and Dave Bardon at their concert at The Standard in late 2023, a tribute to Ennio Morricone. Later I saw them again at the London Jazz Festival, and it became clear how much I loved their music and their distinctive approach. The sound they create is tightly woven, warm, and deeply cinematic — like the soundtrack of a life where it’s easy to feel safe. A cocoon. I invited them to play three songs from On Higher Dreams, and in two days at SFJ Studio in London we captured everything. It was magic and easy, because magic is often an easy thing. Later Rachel joined me, Valerio and AHU for a concert at The Clock Tower during the On Higher Dreams release concerts in May 2025. I have to say I could not ask for better dreamers in London when it comes to music.”
Reactions & Radio Play
Radio play from Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Tina Edwards (Bandcamp Selects), Enrique Domenech (CKUT, Canada), Slow Life Sound System radio show (2SER 107.3FM Sydney, Australia), Diggers Radio (France), DJ Nelito (Sunny South Beats, Australia)
Featured on the Jazz Scene:UK playlist https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/jazz-scene-uk/pl.2b05e1eed714457781531e4562f9897d
“Will support!” Rob Luis (Tru Thoughts, UK)
“I like IKE.” For Mankind (Pikes, Ibiza)
“Love the mood and compo.. .. On my next Panorama Radio Show ..” DJ Soulist (Souleance, France)
“Pure bliss!” Jazzcat (Ness Radio, Italy)
“Dope!” Delfonic (BBE / GAMM, Germany)
“Love it! Amazing songs!” Ahu (Istanbul, Turkey)
“‘Sidda’ is the standout for us at Global Riddims — a beautifully cinematic, soul-rich reimagining that captures IKE’s evolving global sound at its most warm and transportive.” Tony Heynen (Global Riddims, Belgium)
“What a vibe. Beautiful..” Gordon Wedderburn (GW Jazz, UK)
“Beautiful music, true magic. full support on my shows.” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“Unmistakenly Sholto!” Martijn Barkhuis (Jazz de Ville, The Netherlands)
“Good vibes!” MP Marcus (Choice FM, UK)
“Great sounds!” Sista Selecta (Bucketts Radio, Australia)
“Lovely Balearic vibes!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“A true musical ambition where indeed Morricone’s influence is palpable. First track arrangement stands out.” Stephane (Radio Zinzine, France)
“Some magic is goin’ on here.” Mans Stromberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
“This is beautiful music!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“Amazing interpretation!” Enrique Domenech (CKUT 90.3FM, Canada)
“Proper chilled out sunday summer afternoon vybes..!!” Raj Seli (Solar Radio, UK)
“Cinematic goodness, Wah Wah forever!” DJ Keyser (Tilos Radio 90.3FM, Hungary)
“So great to hear more music by IKE! Absolutely Beautiful!” DJ Kobayashi (Batov records, Soho Radio, UK)
“Love this. Risorgini for the win!” Oli Brunetti (Soho Radio, UK)
“Can hear SHOLTO’s influence all the way through here. A gem.” Steve KIW (1BTN, UK)
“Adding and playing Risorgini.” Jason Pulaski (KUCI 88.9FM, USA)
“Sounds great!” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Really luscious and lovely cinematic vibe.” DJ Expression (What’s Hot Radio, UK)
“Lush indeed!” Mark Ward (Sideways through Sound, Australia)
“Moving, soulful and much needed.” DJ Mr Lob (Melbourne, Australia)
“Un. brin de mélancolie…magnifiques collaborations.” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“What a beautiful release!” Erik Tchaikovsky (Night Light Radio Show, Ukraine)
“Pure magic…” Dob Marzov (Radio Varna, Bulgaria)
“Like floating on sunbeams… mesmerizing tracks, simply beautiful!” DJ Six (Various, Uganda)
“Full support.” Michael Stukes (WHCR 90.3FM, USA)
“Nice one such as Dorothy Ashby back in the days, lovely tunes.” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Nice chill sounds! Playing this on my show.” Phil Gray (KPSU, USA)
“Eventide here is so lovely! Fantastic tracks, looking forward to supporting across a few shows. Thanks for the release.” DJ Nelito (Power FM, UK)
“Eventide on playlist Diggers Radio.” Diggers Radio (Albi, France)
“Nice one.” Tjerk (Armada Music, The Netherlands)
“Nice vibes will support!” Cal Gibson (Secret Soul Society, UK)
“Beautiful, peaceful and shimmering like a spring morning!” DJ Mr Lob (Melbourne, Australia)
“Lovely stuff.” Ross Wakefield (Frankson, UK)
“What a great sound to our trouble time!” Andre Rheaume (Vancouver, Canada)
“Nice!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax 95.9FM, Germany)
“Awesome.” Rado Tomek (Nu Spirit, Bratislava)
“Well done.” Lorenzo Aldino (Jockey Club, Ibiza)
“Nice one!” DJ Junior (Record Breakin’, USA)
“This is all rather gorgeous.” Aja Allsop (Ketch-a-vibe, UK)
“Cinematic widescreen aural vistas.” Chris Greenwood (Louie Louie, UK)
“Nice, a sort of 21st century Arthur Lyman. Lush, laid-back music which insinuates its way into your head, all confected from impeccable source material. More please!” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
“Beautiful combination of cinematic jazzy spiritual library cool. Brilliant work all.” Gerry Hectic (You and the Music, UK)
