To the dance community, Dexter Wansel is primarily known for his 1976 classic 'Life On Mars', released on PIR. The Jones Girls' seminal 'Nights Over Egypt' track was penned by Dexter, it is also Jeff Craven favourite track. 'Nights Over Egypt' is currently [mid-1999] in release by Incognito in a MAW remix
A keyboardist/producer/vocalist, Dexter Wansel was a major force in the explosion of the Philadelphia sound during the '70s and '80s. Wansel joined Yellow Sunshine after being discharged from the service in the late '60s. That led to session work at Philadelphia International, where he first backed The Ebonys. Wansel signed a solo deal with the label in 1976 and the company issued his debut LP Life on Mars. The title cut was a favorite on the fusion circuit. Wansel recorded other LPs in the same style during the late '70s, but enjoyed more impact as a writer, producer, conductor, and music director. He worked closely with M.F.S.B., and their 1980 release "Mysteries of the World" was arguably really his record. Wansel worked with a variety of label stars as a writer and/or producer. Billy Paul, Jean Carne [wife of keyboardist Doug Carn of Black Jazz fame], Patti Labelle, Jerry Butler, Teddy Pendergrass, Grover Washington, Jr., the Stylistics, Lou Rawls, Miles Jaye, Phyllis Hyman, and Dee Dee Sharp Gamble were some of these label acts. He also did outside sessions with Stevie Wonder and Jermaine Jackson. Wansel has worked in England with such artists as Junior, Nat Augustin, Peter Royer, and Loose Ends. -- Ron Wynn, All-Music Guide