Makoto (musician)

Makoto Shimizu (清水誠) (born 1977 in Tokyo, Japan), professionally known as Makoto (マコト), 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.

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: 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