It’s common. You go to
school and prepare for a certain career path, but somehow the focus shifts.
Years can go by before you realize that you have veered off course.
R&B-jazz saxophonist Dante’ caught himself drifting and after some soul
searching, realized that his joy would be found in music as a recording artist.
He assembled an experience crew of proven producers, songwriters and musicians
to help him craft “Mint,” his debut album that drops October 4.
Dante’ is a Berklee College of Music graduate who was
featured on rapper J. Cole’s 2011 heralded first album, “Cole World: The
Sideline Story.” As an entrepreneur, he created Dante’ Neck Straps, handcrafted
performance straps used by sax stars Dave Koz, Paul Taylor, Jackiem Joyner,
Marcus Anderson, Walter Beasley, Mike Phillips, Joe Lavano and others. There
were other successful business ventures outside of music that Dante’
spearheaded, but his spirit wasn’t fulfilled. After introspection, he felt that
what would satiate his artistic expression would be making records as an
artist.
“I’m constantly tangled up in multiple projects. One day I
said to myself, ‘What do I really want to do? What will bring me the most joy?’
The answer was music. Instead of dropping everything and start chasing gigs, I
decided to create a record and put myself out to the world through music,” said
Dante’, who plays soprano sax throughout “Mint” with the exceptions being an
alto sax on two songs: “Kansai Groove” and “Before We Begin.”
He knew his first single had to be “something fun to get
people moving,” introducing his sound – a fusion of contemporary jazz, soul,
funk and pop – with the help of an established hitmaker. Dante’ tapped fellow
saxophonist and chart-topping artist-producer-songwriter Darren Rahn to craft
“Vibin’ Out,” which goes for playlist adds on September 9.
Dante’ co-wrote all of the original songs for “Mint,”
writing half the tunes with Grammy and Emmy nominee Rex Salas (Janet Jackson,
Vanessa Williams, Boyz II Men). “I owe a lot to Rex because he gave me my first
shot and believed in me when no one else did.”
The melodies and rhythms on the session were played by an
accomplished crew consisting of guitarists Darrell Crooks and Allen Hinds;
keyboardists and programmers Rahn, Greg Manning and Daniel “Doc Junya”
Hargrove; bassists Anthony Crawford, Nate Kearney and Mel Brown; and drummers
Eric Valentine, Tarell Martin and Nate Barns. Dante’ produced “Mint” with
Manning, who co-wrote and plays piano on the Japanese tinged, New Jack Swing
cut “Kansai Groove.”
The album’s lone cover is Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.’s “Best
Part,” which Dante’ re-envisions as an atmospheric instrumental.
“I would say the best part of doing this record is the fact
that I got to learn a lot about the process to the point where I could help
someone else make a record. I’m a jack of all trades and I learn very quickly.
Add to that the fact that I had access to some of the best talent in the
business, which made everything possible. Watching and learning how they do
what they do was priceless,” said the Los Angeles-based Dante’.
“Lately, I have been trying to focus on fewer things and
doing them well instead for doing lots of things and overlooking fine details.
With ‘Mint,’ I really focused and made sure I had the right people on my team
to execute every component of the record. It was a lot of trial and error, but
in the end, I came out with a project that I am very proud of.”
“Mint” contains the following songs:
“Vibin’ Out”
“Breathe”
“Take It Slow”
“Mint”
“Kasai Groove”
“The Wish”
“Before We Begin”
“Best Part”
“The Wish (Acoustic)”
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