The Sound of Philadelphia has many stories, this is just one of
them.....
R+B/fusion producer, arranger, musician,
composer, conductor, synthesist, A+R Director, performer, Dexter
Wansel, began as an errand boy backstage at the Uptown theater
in Philadelphia from 1959 through 1963 for his step-uncle
Georgie Woods. There he met many great artists who
encouraged him to pursue music. In junior high school and high
school he and his best friend Stanley Clarke had their first
bands together.
In 1970 after being honorably discharged
from the United States Army, Wansel quietly joined the ranks of
synthesists like Walter Carlos and Dick Hyman, where he began
programming the Putney and the Arp 2600V for sessions at
Sigma Sound Studios both credited and uncredited. From
the early to mid 70s, Wansel also played keyboards for groups
such as Instant Funk, Yellow Sunshine, and
MFSB. …City Paper says, “In 1975 Dexter created
the moody, space- soul LP ‘Life On Mars’ whose icy ambience and
thick, thematic funk is universally credited with having created
Neo-Soul”. This first album’s been followed by six more. What
The World Is Coming Too-Voyager-Time Is Slipping
Away-Universe-Captured-and Digital Groove World. After signing
with Philadelphia International Records, as in-house song
writer/producer/arranger, he established a song writing
relationship with the great lyricist Cynthia Biggs
and many of their hit records are listed here.. Wansel also
collaborated with other writers such as Bunny Sigler, T.
Life, Vinnie Barrett and Kenneth Gamble.
Dexter Wansel produced, wrote, arranged, played keyboards and
synthesized hits for artists at Philly International Records as
well as numerous other labels. Listed here with just a few of
the songs he either produced/arranged/wrote or played on.
Trey Songz, (Unusual) The O’Jays, (I Really Need
You Now) Jordin Sparks, (Hooked On Your Love-from the Sparkle
movie) Patti LaBelle, (If Only You Knew-Shoot Em On Sight-I
Can't Forget) The Stylistics, (Hurry Up This Way Again-Mine All
Mine-What's Your Name) Diggy, (Do It Like You) Teddy
Pendergrass, (Love T.K.O.-Only You-All I Need Is You) Instant
Funk, (Float Like A Butterfly- So Glad I’m The One) The Jones
Girls, (You’re Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else-You Made Me Love
You-Nights Over Egypt) Junior, (Not Tonight) Michael Jackson and
The Jacksons, (Keep On Dancin-Jump For Joy-Different kind Of
Lady) Donny Hathaway, (You Were Meant For Me) Loose Ends, (The
Sweetest Pain-You Can't Stop The Rain) Elle Varner, (Stop The
Clock) MFSB, (Mysteries Of The World-Philadelphia
Freedom-Manhattan Skyline) Lou Rawls, (Its Our Anniversary
Today-Pure Imagination-Lovers Holiday) Billy Paul, (I Think I'll
Stay Home Today-Billys Back Home) P.P Arnold (A Little Pain)
Jean Carn, (Give It Up-You Are All I Need-I'm In Love Once
Again) Carl Carlton, (Spend The Night) Phyllis Hyman, (Living
All Alone) Grover Washington Jr, (The Best Is Yet To Come)
Pieces Of A Dream, (Warm Weather-Fo-Fi-Fo) Damon Williams (When,
Where, How) Evelyn Champagne King (Shame-The Show Is Over) Sasss
(Sassy Lady) Miles Jaye (I've Been A Fool For You), Philadelphia
International All Stars (Clean Up The Ghetto), just to
name a few.
Dexter’s music has been used as samples over 500 times in
the world of hip-hop. His 1975 'Theme From The Planets' drum
beat intro, is hailed as being one of the first foundation beats
of hip-hop. This beat continues to be heavily sampled today and
can also be heard on TV commercials and in movies.. His sampled
music has been used by Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Drake,
Rick Ross, J Cole, Kid And Play, Eric B and Rakim, Wiz Khalifa,
The Lox, Lil Kim, Ice T, Ice Cube, Stalley, just to
name a few. In 1979 as conductor of the world famous
MFSB Orchestra, Dexter Wansel was the music
director/conductor for the historic show at the White House
commemorating the very first 'Black Music History Month'
celebration founded by Dyana Williams, Kenneth Gamble,
and Ed Wright.. From 1978 through 1980, Dexter
Wansel was the A+R Director for Philadelphia
International Records where he oversaw and coordinated
many album and single releases by the labels artists under the
direction of Gamble and Huff. Including McFadden &
Whiteheads hit single, “Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now”
Dexter and wife Judith Wansel have created
their show called Sounds Of Philadelphia. In which during live
performances, Grammy award winner Dexter Wansel performs the
music he helped to create for some of the world renowned
recording artists as well as his own music. They are the proud
parents of 10 wonderful children, 20 grand children, and four
great grand children. Their youngest son, Andrew ‘Pop’ Wansel is
a two time Grammy award winner and BMI producer
of the year. He is one of the successful R&B/Pop music
producer/writers of this age. And has created hits for recording
artists such as K. Michele, Miguel, Jessie Ware, Monica,
Usher, Trey Songz, Ginuwine, Elle Varner, Diggy, Jennifer Lopez,
Kahlani, Fantasia, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Wiz
Khalifa, Alessia Cara, and Ariana Grande, just to name
a few. The Sound of Philadelphia has many stories, this is just
one of them.....