Review: IKE - On Higher Dreams (Wah Wah 45s)

Isaac de Martin (aka IKE) is 'On Higher Dreams' and we're up there in the clouds with him.

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.

'Rapids' featuring Danny Kuttner and 'Eventide' are previous singles that picked up radio plays by Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM/BBC 6 Music), Enrique Domenich (CKUT FM) and, of course, label boss Dom Servini (Jazz FM/Soho Radio) as they have fallen for IKE's blends of jazz and electronica that's "warm, smooth and often cinematic". 

You can see why the Italian lifestyle of Treviso suits the music, especially if you've been watching the Giro d'Italia this month; I wonder where Mr. Servini family background is from?  [Ed. you can't guess Woolwich].   We're told, IKE's bandground is a bit of a "flip" as he was born in Italy to parents with a British background and that he trained in the UK in classical guitar and jazz.

That said, much of the influence for the album was Egypt/Ethiopia, for example, the introduction to 'Sidda' is inspired by 'Ashweyna' (translates from Hindi as 'Child Of The Star)' by Ethiopia's Mahmoud Ahmed whilst 'Siddha' 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: a state of being 'On Higher Dreams'.

With UK appearances with the album launch, with a full live show at A L P H A B E T (Brighton: with a DJ set by Dom Servini, 25th May), plus a listening party at the Total Refreshment Centre (North London, 30th May) and an in-store at Love Vinyl (Hoxton, Saturday, 31st May). 

BUY LINK: On Higher Dreams | IKE

P.S. Did you notice 'SIDDA' is Addis backwards (as in Addis Abeba), the capital of Ethiopia! 

Artist: IKE

Release:  On Higher Dreams
Release Date: 30th May, 2025
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: WAHLP
Format: Limited Vinyl (Black) / Digital / BANDCAMP