(born 1977 in Tokyo, Japan), professionally known as , is a Japanese drum and bass musician, DJ and actor. 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 LTJ 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 had 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 act and tour in support of his music, mostly in Japan, but also across Asia, Europe, and USA.
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
2007: Believe In My Soul
2011: Souled Out
2015: Aquarian Dreams
2017: Salvation
2019: Tomodachi Sessions
2022: Motion Of Change
Selected compilation albums
2000: LTJ Bukem Featuring MC Conrad & DRS / Makoto Progression Sessions 5
2011: Something We Can Do
Selected singles and EPs
1998: Down Angel / EchoVox (Positive Machine Soul Mix) 1998: Wave / Jupiters Field (12") 1999: Enterprise / Sweet Changes 1999: Far East / Butterfly 2000: Situations EP 2000: Situations EP 2001: Takkyu Ishino Feat. Tabito Nanao* / Makoto Feat. Lori Fine ラストシーン / You're Divine (Edit) (12") 2001: Cascade (4) / JLaze / Makoto Mysteries / Trapezoid / Blackberry Jam / Voices (2x12") 2001: You're Divine (12") 2001: Blackberry Jam / Voices (12") 2002: Musical Message EP 2003: My Soul 2003: Time 2003 2004: Laroque / Makoto Sublime Intervention / What To Do (12", Single, Promo) 2004: Joy EP Plate 1 2005: MC Conrad & Makoto Golden Girl 2007: Sonic & Makoto Tearing Soul / Lovesong 2007: Greg Packer & Makoto Pleasure / Science Fiction 2007: Makoto & Specialist (4) Pachinko / A Different Story 2007: Hurinkazan (12") 2007: Eastern Dub Pt.2 (12") 2008: Zinc* & Makoto / Makoto & Deeizm Fade Away / Monotonik 2009: Makato* / Greg Packer & Muller Music In Me (Greg Packer Remix) / Kat Magnit 2009: Nik Weston Presents Makoto & Kez Ym Featuring Takumi Kaneko From Cro Magnon* Chameleon (12", Ltd, 180) 2009: A Sides* & Makoto Spacetrain / The Final Fugutive (12") 2009: Sentimental Moods / And I Love Her (12") 2011: Tower Of Love / Keep Me Down (12") 2011: DJ Marky & Makoto / Makoto Aquarius / Good Old Days (12") 2012: Another Generation (12") 2016: YGMYC 2016: Danny Wheeler & Makoto Sunshine / Midnight Hour 2020: Artificial Intelligence & Makoto Cold Expanse 2021: Spread Love (feat. Pete Simpson) / Contact 2021: What You Need