Tokyo-born Makoto Shimizu began producing drum and bass in the 1990s, after hearing Gilles Peterson’s radio shows and becoming interested in the genre. Ryuichi Sakamoto was an early influence; LTJ Bukem’s Logical Progression and Goldie’s Timeless also inspired his move into production. Shimizu studied acoustic engineering at Nippon University. To reach Good Looking Records, Makoto sent demo tapes by post. He revised the beats, pace and arrangements before LTJ Bukem signed him to the label in 1999.
Good Looking Records released Makoto’s album Human Elements in 2003. His subsequent albums included Believe in My Soul in 2007 and Souled Out in 2011; the latter came out through Human Elements and HE:Digital, the digital label Makoto founded. His label work has also taken in Hospital Records, Innerground and Liquicity. Makoto’s music brings drum-and-bass rhythms together with soul, jazz and funk influences, with jazz fusion also among the styles that have shaped his sound. He has said that melody and chords tend to be his starting points when producing.
Makoto’s collaborations have included DJ Marky, A-Sides, Akira, Deeizm and MC Conrad. “Golden Girl”, made with MC Conrad, is among his best-known tracks. His album Tomodachi Sessions brought together work with DJ Marky, S.P.Y, Bop, MC Conrad and Degs, among others. In 2017, Makoto released the album Salvation on Hospital Records. His 2022 album Motion of Change followed.
Makoto released the single “Looking Down” on DnB Allstars in 2025. In 2026, the single “How I Do It Like That” appeared on Human Elements, followed by “Magic”, a single with Javeon on Liquicity Records, and “Got Me Trippin’”, a single with Hugh Hardie on Soulvent Records. “Better Days”, a single with Blocksberg, Gabriella Bongo and Purple Velvet Curtains, came out on Hospital Records in 2026.
