Sean Dimitrie - Fresh Air (2022)

Sean Dimitrie releases Fresh Air (Bombay Records). The talented multi-instrumentalist and producer brilliantly balances classic vintage sounds with modern jazz, neo-soul and latin rhythms to create a playful and poignant journey to the depths of the soul. Fresh Air brings a much needed dose of positive and uplifting themes. Finding himself in lockdown during the Pandemic, Sean revived and reworked over 20 years of unreleased music. Turning a dark time into an inspiration, he recommends the release for “sunrises and sunsets”.

This collaborative album incorporates the musical stylings of (*CBC-indigenous) Canadian recording artists and Bombay Records alumni David Morin and Daybi as well as the incredible Tonye Agabana and Christina Sing-Nguyen and highly-sought after session players Koyla and Max Zipursky. An "Urban NDN" of the Six Nations band but born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Dimitrie is renowned as a touring house music DJ and producer. Setting up shop in an East Vancouver penthouse, he has written and produced three albums and many singles, as well as producing and remixing for classic house music labels such as Om Records, Ministry of Sound, Salted Music, Transport, Reverberations, Leaf, Village, Manali, Transport, Bombay, Nordic Trax, and Movim.

Sean’s laid-back, vibey instrumental track Fresh Air gives listeners a gentle but powerful introduction to the album, setting the tone for the rich tapestry that follows. You can almost feel a gentle breeze blow as you relax into the hypnotic soundscape. Sean drew inspiration for Fresh Air through his various travels to exotic tropical locations and effectively translates those experiences directly through his music. Without missing a beat, the album boasts something for everyone. Elements of Thievery Corporation and the Buddha Bar compilations compliment and contrast the deep neo-soul era vocal tracks.

Blame it on the Bossa Nova --- nearly half of the 11 tracks pay homage to this classic genre, reminiscent of an early 60’s James Bond film score. Though he played most of the instruments himself, Sean skillfully and seamlessly crafts the illusion of a full band. Having studied jazz at Montreal’s McGill University this talented composer and jazz guitarist utilizes the full extent of his education and experience as a producer to deliver something brand new and yet comfortably familiar.

With so many forms of artistic expression in his heart, the regenerative breath of the creative process is the same on anything he does. “I like to make music that’s timeless, not too trendy, I like positive-feeling music,” says Dimitrie, who has been writing music most of his life and is influenced by Miles Davis, Vince Guaraldi as well as guitar players Ronny Jordan, George Benson, and Wes Montgomery and a list of producers too long to mention.

Fresh air is something you’re likely to hear on your next beach vacation and at resorts, lounges, bars and cafés for years to come. It’s universal appeal promises audiences “good vibes only” and delivers on that promise.