The New York-based avant-garde label Infrequent Seams begins to release a monthly digital albums series, the K7 Commissions Series (accompanied by a limited run of 50 cassettes). This series of releases aims to connect like-minded artists and the greater community – individuals and supporters,  that engage in creative music and wish to share experiences, in the United States and around the world. Eight of the twelve K7 projects for 2023 were recorded for the third Infrequent Seams Streamfest in June 2022.

The first release brings together the label director and double bass player James Ilgenfritz, guitarist Sandy Ewen, and saxophonist Michael Foster. Their meeting was recorded at Scholes St Studio in Brooklyn in June 2021, during the second Infrequent Seams Streamfest. The three musicians collaborated before but Ekphrastic Discourse is their first recording as a trio.

True to the title of this release, Ekphrastic Discourse investigates methodically the nature of free improvisation through 12 short sparse and quiet, fragile and delicate pieces that demand deep listening, and expand the sonic spectrum of the bass, guitar and saxophone, often with attached objects, individually and in relation to each other. The trio performed as a sound lab that employ the highly personal and unorthodox extended techniques of Ilgenfritz, Ewen and Foster, patiently building and releasing the subtle tension and creating an intense but quite elusive synergy.

Eyal Hareuveni

James Ilgenfritz (b), Sandy Ewen (g), Michael Foster (s)