kristoffer eikrem: beneath the sky and moments between
Francisco Espregueira
Kristoffer Eikrem shifts gears from his established reputation as one of Norway's top jazz trumpeters and instrumental hip-hop producers one of Norway's top jazz trumpeters and instrumental hip-hop producers to debut a solo ambient work with Beneath the Sky and Moments Between. Released by the Oslo-based label Mutual Intentions, known for its roots in experimental hip-hop and a willingness to embrace diverse, quality electronic acts, this album is a beautifully serene 12-track exploration. Eikrem's transition feels natural, given his past collaborations with artists like Ivan Ave and Fredfades (whose previous ambient landscapes hinted at this direction). By blending his deep musical heritage with textural soundscapes built on FM synthesis, he delivers a project that very well could be one of his most fully realized artistic visions to date, moving from the intensity of jazz and beats to a more meditative quietude.
This record is an introspective journey that should resonate deeply with anyone who appreciates the ambient genre’s classics. Drawing inspiration from the spacious, minimalist elegance of 80s-era masters like Hiroshi Yoshimura's Music for Nine Postcards and modern innovators such as Brian Eno, Gigi Masin, and Aphex Twin, Beneath the Sky and Moments Between captures both fleeting personal moments and the sheer expanse of the sky. The final result is a delicately balanced work of art, full of warm, organic tones and carefully designed sound, offering a truly personal and contemplative listening experience that introduces Eikrem in this new sonic territory. Available on vinyl, courtesy of Mutual Intentions.