Mecca:83 (real name Evan Jones) has been knee-deep in vintage drum machines, camera lenses and dusty records for close to two decades.
CREDITS: Blu, Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, Tom Misch, Gallant, Scorzayzee, Byron The Aquarius, Grap Luva, Ill Conscious, Jneiro Jarel, Napoleon Da Legend, KinKai…
Honing a production style that blends deep jazz samples and a healthy amount of live instrumentation, Mecca has released music on labels such as Warner Brothers, Chillhop, Village Live, Futurustica Music and Ninetofive Records to name just a few: working with local legends and underground heroes alike.
In addition to his recorded output, Mecca has produced music workshops in the UK & Europe, hosted a weekly radio show, and founded the Expansions Collective record label.
He is also the co-organiser and photographer for WORKINONIT and Beat Kitchen; events dedicated to fostering in-person community and creating platforms for emerging artists in the North West to share new work.
Things I’m doing
Working with some of the world’s largest technology companies to create and amplify their customers’ stories, as part of inEvidence
Celebrating two decades of creating music, with releases on vinyl, CD and cassette tape across labels as varied as Warner Brothers, Futuristica Music and Chillhop Records
Co-organising WORKINONIT, a Manchester music event and community, providing a platform for local artists to share new work
Photographing Manchester’s music scene and producing the occasional photo zine too
Co-organising Beat Kitchen, a quarterly Macclesfield-based event celebrating local music, food and creativity
Playing some of my favourite records every month as part of The Depot’s Slice Night event
Writing about the intersection of music, creativity, and culture…right here on this website
Things I’ve done
Hosted weekly radio shows for both DIY Radio and Frission Radio, exploring the best new instrumental beats, future soul, and modern hip hop
Founded and managed the Expansions Collective record label, creating a platform for emerging talent to release work and connect with other artists
Hosted music workshops across the UK and Europe for organisations such as Salford City Council and Street Science Festival
Numerous pieces of freelance marketing, promotion & editorial work for independent record labels and music organisations across the UK & Europe
The Guardian
“An ethereal, jazzy take on boom bap, equal parts Air’s Moon Safari and Minnie Riperton circa her work with Rotary Connection.”
The Rust Music
“If there was just one producer whose music encapsulates this moment in time and musical space, this decade of instrumental hip-hop, it might be Mecca:83.”
Scorzayzee
