on red vinyl - As one of the founders of Japan’s drum & bass culture, Makoto is a man who needs little introduction. On his sixth studio album, ‘Tomodachi Ses- sions’, he presents 15-tracks of exquisite, sun-drenched drum & bass soul.
Each and every track is a collaboration with a close friend, that has played a part in his twenty-year career, with the likes of DJ Marky, S.P.Y, Bop, MC Con- rad, Pola & Bryson, Degs, Karina Ramage and more. The uplifting summer number, ‘Shine On Through’ is a collaboration with the young breakthrough producer Mountain from Osaka, Japan. Makoto’s signature sound is brought into 2019, soaked in a warm rolling bassline, energetic synths and topped off with vocals from the outstanding singer/songwriter Karina Ramage.
The instrumental masterpiece ‘Kosa’ features Med School’s orchestral maver- ick Keeno and is the perfect combination of powerful soul, epic strings and dynamic drumwork. ‘Morning Sunrise’, is a majestic dose of drum & bass and is the team effort of Makoto, Danny Wheeler and G Force. It also brings in the vocal powerhouse Blu James, also known from the Basement Jaxx classic ‘Red Alert’. Having gained respect for the quality of his music since the days of LTJ Bukem’s Good Looking Records, Makoto has gone from strength to strength with an impressive discography that includes seminal classics like ‘Golden Girl’ ft. MC Conrad.
| A1 | Illuminate (feat. Degs) (Original) | 4:11 |
| A2 | Shine On Through (feat. Mountain & Karina Ramage) | 4:10 |
| B1 | Kosa (feat. Keeno) (Original) | 6:01 |
| B2 | The Encounter (feat. Bop) (Original) | 5:43 |
| B3 | Miles Ahead (feat. DJ Marky) (Original) | 4:13 |
| C1 | Morning Sunrise (feat. Danny Wheeler, G Force & Blu James) | 4:55 |
| C2 | Tokyo 96 (feat. S.P.Y) (Original) | 5:25 |
| C3 | Show Me How You Feel (feat. Lorna King (Original) | 4:52 |
| D1 | Dive (feat. Polaris) (Original) | 5:43 |
| D2 | Liberta (feat. Urbandawn) (Original) | 4:34 |
| D3 | Living For (feat. Paul T & Edward Oberon) (Original) | 5:29 |
| E1 | Transparent (feat. Whiney) (Original) | 4:59 |
| E2 | Mystic Crystals (feat. Technimatic) (Original) | 5:19 |
| F1 | Nexus (feat. Pola & Bryson) (Original) | 4:16 |
| F2 | Merchant Blessing (feat. Conrad) (Original) | 4:38 |
