Makoto

(born 1977 in Tokyo, Japan), professionally known as , is a Japanese drum and bass musician, producer and DJ. Among other distinctive elements of Makoto's musical style, a heavy influence of 1970s-era soul, funk and jazz fusion can be heard throughout the vast majority of his repertoire.

Career

Inspired by LTJ Bukem's Logical Progression album and Goldie's Timeless, he began to experiment with his own drum and bass music compositions. His unique style received the attention of LTJ Bukem and his Good Looking Records label, and Makoto was later featured on several of Bukem's mix CDs.

Makoto's first studio album, Human Elements, was released on Good Looking Records in 2003. His second studio album, Believe in My Soul, was released on the same label in 2007. He also recorded a live album with frequent touring partner MC Deeizm for the label's Progression Sessions series of live mixes.

Makoto's album Souled Out was released in Japan on 5 October 2011 and worldwide on 10 October 2011 by Makoto's physical label Human Elements and on his digital download-only label HE:Digital.

Makoto continues to tour in support of his music, mostly in Japan, but also across Asia, Europe, and the US.

His music is also featured in Polyphony's Gran Turismo series and its spinoff, Tourist Trophy.

In 2021, he was featured on the soundtrack of Forza Horizon 5 with the songs "Trial Mountain" and "Another Star".

Discography Albums Studio albums 2003: Human Elements (Good Looking Records) 2007: Believe in My Soul (Good Looking Records) 2011: Souled Out (Human Elements) 2015: Aquarian Dreams (Eastern Elements) 2017: Salvation (Hospital Records) 2019: Tomodachi Sessions (Hospital Records) 2022: Motion of Change (Hospital Records)

Selected compilation albums 2000: Progression Sessions 5 - LTJ Bukem featuring MC Conrad & DRS / Makoto 2011: Something We Can Do

Selected singles and EPs 1998: "Down Angel / EchoVox" (Positive Machine Soul mix) 1998: "Wave / Jupiters Field" 1999: "Enterprise / Sweet Changes" 1999: "Far East / Butterfly" 2000: Situations EP 2001: "ラストシーン / You're Divine" - Takkyu Ishino feat. Tabito Nanao / Makoto feat. Lori Fine 2001: "Mysteries / Trapezoid / Blackberry Jam / Voices" - Cascade, JLaze, Makoto (2 x 12") 2001: "You're Divine" 2001: "Blackberry Jam / Voices" 2002: Musical Message EP 2003: "My Soul" 2003: "Time 2003" 2004: "Sublime Intervention / What to Do" - Laroque, Makoto 2004: Joy EP Plate 1 2005: "Golden Girl" - MC Conrad & Makoto 2007: "Tearing Soul / Lovesong" - Sonic & Makoto 2007: "Pleasure / Science Fiction" - Greg Packer & Makoto 2007: "Pachinko / A Different Story" - Makoto & Specialist 2007: "Hurinkazan" 2007: "Eastern Dub Pt. 2" 2008: "Fade Away / Monotonik" - Zinc & Makoto / Makoto & Deeizm 2009: "Music in Me" (Greg Packer remix) / Kat Magnit" - Makato, Greg Packer & Muller 2009: "Chameleon" - Nik Weston presents Makoto & Kez Ym feat. Takumi Kaneko from Cro Magnon 2009: "Spacetrain / The Final Fugutive" - A Sides & Makoto 2009: "Sentimental Moods / And I Love Her" 2011: "Tower of Love / Keep Me Down" 2011: "Aquarius / Good Old Days" - DJ Marky & Makoto 2012: "Another Generation" 2016: "YGMYC" 2016: "Sunshine / Midnight Hour" - Danny Wheeler & Makoto 2020: "Cold Expanse" - Artificial Intelligence & Makoto 2021: "Spread Love" (feat. Pete Simpson) / "Contact" 2021: "What You Need"