Mekon

John Gosling, recording as Mekon for Wall of Sound Records, foreshadowed the wave of stylistic shifts that swept through the mid-’90s, encompassing trip-hop, big-beat techno, and the broader imprint of American hip-hop upon electronic scenes. His first appearance came in 1994 with the single “Phatty’s Lunchbox,” only the label’s second release, where he established the template for the high-octane, breakbeat-driven sound that the Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers would later popularize, fusing trip-hop rhythms with raw energy and vintage attitude. Subsequent singles continued to chart fresh paths, enlisting “Mad” Frankie Fraser for the gangsta-leaning track “Revenge of the Mekon” and Schoolly D on “Skool’s Out.” Gosling issued his debut Mekon full-length, Welcome to Tackletown, in June 1997 while also supplying a remix for fellow Wall of Sound artist Agent Provocateur. The follow-up project Relax with Mekon arrived in 2000 and showcased contributions from Marc Almond, Roxanne Shante, Jacques Lu Cont, and Shawn Lee. Schoolly D rejoined the fold for the 2013 release Piece of Work, which further incorporated appearances by Pig, Marco Pironi, and Peter Christopherson.