Dexter Wansel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dexter Wansel
|
|
|---|---|
| Birth name | Dexter Wansel |
| Born | 22 August 1950 Philadelphia, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, jazz fusion, R+B |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, songwriter, arranger |
| Instruments | Keyboards |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Labels | Philadelphia International, Digital Jukebox |
| Associated acts | The Jackson 5, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Grover Washington Jr., Phyllis Hyman, Instant Funk, Bunny Sigler, Stanley Clarke, MFSB |
Dexter Gilman Wansel, born on August 22, 1950, is a talented American musician. He is known for his work in R&B and jazz fusion music. Dexter is a singer, composer, and plays many instruments. He also helps produce music and guide artists.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Dexter Wansel started his journey in music very early. From 1959 to 1963, he worked backstage at the Uptown Theater in Philadelphia. He was an errand boy for his step-uncle, Georgie Woods. There, he met many famous artists who inspired him to make music. In high school, he played in bands with his friend, Stanley Clarke, who also became a well-known musician.
Dexter Wansel's Music Career
After serving in the United States Army, Dexter Wansel began working with synthesizers in 1970. He learned to program special music machines like the EMS VCS 3 and ARP 2600. He used these skills in recording sessions at Sigma Sound Studios. In the early to mid-1970s, Wansel also played keyboards for groups such as Instant Funk and MFSB.
Joining Philadelphia International Records
Dexter Wansel signed with Philadelphia International Records. He became an in-house songwriter, producer, and arranger. He often wrote songs with lyricist Cynthia Biggs. He also worked with other writers like Bunny Sigler and Kenneth Gamble. Wansel produced, wrote, and arranged hit songs for many artists. In 1977, he produced the Grammy-winning album Unmistakably Lou for Lou Rawls.
Influence on Hip-Hop Music
Dexter Wansel's music has had a big impact on hip-hop. His 1975 song "Theme from The Planets" has a drum beat intro that is famous. Many people say it was one of the first important beats in hip-hop. This beat is still used today in songs, TV ads, and movies. Famous artists like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, and Drake have used parts of his music in their songs.
Leadership in Music
In 1979, Dexter Wansel was the conductor for the famous MFSB Orchestra. He was also the music director for a special show at the White House. This event celebrated the first 'Black Music History Month' in 1978. From 1978 to 1980, Wansel was the A+R Director for Philadelphia International Records. In this role, he helped guide many album releases for the label's artists.
His album Time Is Slipping Away, released in 1979, had a popular disco song. It was called "(I'll Never Forget) My Favorite Disco." This song was a big hit in clubs across the U.S. In 1981, he wrote and arranged the song Nights Over Egypt for the Jones Girls. In April 2021, Wansel signed a new record deal with Digital Jukebox Records.
Impact on Other Artists
Jay Kay from the band Jamiroquai has said that Dexter Wansel's music inspired him. Jay Kay loved jazz and funk music after hearing Wansel's song "Life on Mars." He said he would play the song over and over again when he was a teenager.
Personal Life
Dexter Wansel is the father of Pop Wansel, who is also a Grammy-nominated music producer. Dexter is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He also wrote a novel called Shortwave, which was published in 2011. Dexter Wansel is the brother of author Teri Woods.
Discography
Studio Albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Record label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US |
US R&B |
US Jazz |
||||
| 1976 | Life On Mars | — | 44 | — | Philadelphia International Records | |
| 1977 | What the World Is Coming To | 168 | 45 | 24 | ||
| 1978 | Voyager | 139 | 37 | — | ||
| 1979 | Time Is Slipping Away | — | 58 | — | ||
| 1986 | Captured | — | — | — | 10 Records | |
| 2004 | Digital Groove World | — | — | — | Hotplanet Entertainment | |
| 2021 | The Story of the Flight Crew to Mars | 178 | 40 | — | Digital Jukebox Records | |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart | ||||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Record label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Dance |
US R&B |
|||||
| 1976 | "Life On Mars" | 10 | 91 | Philadelphia International Records | ||
| 1977 | "Disco Lights" | 25 | — | |||
| 1978 | "Solutions" | — | 87 | |||
| 1979 | "It's Been Cool" | — | 91 | |||
| "The Sweetest Pain" | — | 40 | ||||
| 2021 | "As One" (featuring Terry Dexter) | — | 71 | Digital Jukebox Records | ||
| 2022 | "This Is My Story" (featuring Damon Williams) | — | 64 | |||
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart | ||||||
Selected Production Work
Dexter Wansel has produced many albums for other artists, including:
- The Jacksons - The Jacksons, 1976
- Lou Rawls - All Things in Time, 1976
- The Jacksons - Goin' Places, 1977
- Lou Rawls - Unmistakably Lou. 1977
- Teddy Pendergrass - TP, 1980
- Patti LaBelle - The Spirit's in It, 1981
- Grover Washington Jr. - The Best Is Yet to Come, 1982
- Patti LaBelle - I'm in Love Again, 1983
- Phyllis Hyman - Living All Alone, 1986
- MFSB - Philadelphia Freedom, 1975
- The Jones Girls - The Jones Girls, 1979
