Electronic · JP · Active since 1977

Makoto

High-fidelity liquid drum and bass infused with 1970s soul and jazz fusion. Sophisticated, shimmering, and deeply melodic music for urban nights and sunrises.

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Intro

Makoto creates a world where the frantic energy of 170 BPM drum and bass meets the velvet luxury of classic soul. It is music that feels expensive and meticulously crafted, yet remains deeply human and accessible. The sound is defined by warm Fender Rhodes chords, soaring vocal hooks, and a rhythmic complexity that feels like a heartbeat rather than a machine. It is the definitive sound of 'liquid funk' at its most polished and optimistic.

What sets him apart is his background in acoustic engineering, which translates into a mix clarity that is rare in electronic music. While many of his peers lean into grit or aggression, Makoto leans into radiance. His tracks often feature live-sounding instrumentation, from funky basslines to jazz-inflected brass, creating a bridge between the dancefloor and the lounge. It is music that moves the body while soothing the mind.

Start with the album 'Human Elements' to hear the foundation of his soul-dnb fusion, or dive into 'Believe in My Soul' for a more expansive, cinematic take on the genre. Whether you are a seasoned junglist or a jazz fan looking for a higher tempo, his catalog offers a sophisticated entry point into the lighter side of electronic music.

Makoto Shimizu (清水誠, Shimizu Makoto) (born 1977 in Tokyo, Japan), professionally known as Makoto (マコト, Makoto), 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.
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Our Catalog6 Albums · 2003 · 2022
Known ForWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
Adjacent Artists
M
MAKOTO

Shares drum and bass, jazz fusion, downtempo (subgenres); hi fi, analog warmth, studio polished (production style)

M
MAKOTO

Shares drum and bass, jazz fusion, soul (subgenres); hi fi, analog warmth, studio polished (production style)

M
Makoto

Shares hi fi, analog warmth, studio polished (production style); drum and bass, downtempo, soul (subgenres)

M
Makoto

Shares drum and bass, jazz fusion, downtempo (subgenres); hi fi, analog warmth, studio polished (production style)

TV
The Vanguard Project

Shares drum and bass, soul, downtempo (subgenres); breathy, processed, harmonized (vocal style)

London Elektricity
London Elektricity

Shares drum and bass, jazz fusion, soul (subgenres); hi fi, studio polished, layered dense (production style)

YA
Young Ax

Shares drum and bass, jazz fusion, downtempo (subgenres); hi fi, analog warmth, studio polished (production style)

Nu:Tone
Nu:Tone

Shares drum and bass, soul, downtempo (subgenres); breathy, processed, harmonized (vocal style)

B
BCee

Shares hi fi, analog warmth, studio polished (production style); drum and bass, downtempo, soul (subgenres)

HH
Hugh Hardie

Shares drum and bass, downtempo, jazz fusion (subgenres); hi fi, analog warmth, studio polished (production style)

London Elektricity
London Elektricity

Shares uplifting, drum and bass, trumpet, jazz fusion (mood)

Nu:Tone
Nu:Tone

Shares uplifting, drum and bass, soul, analog warmth (mood)

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