Weekend Weapons: Makoto

Weekend Weapons: Makoto

19 October, 2011 | 8.38AM

• Written by: Sean Lewis
• Filed under: Music News: drum & bass, makoto, weekend weapons

There’s a beauty and finesse that often gets overlooked when someone mentions the words “drum and bass.” Often, it’s the aggressive and club-focused material, operating at speeds well over 150 BPM, that first comes to mind; but there are antidotes to that aggression, even at the same speeds.

An entire scene that offers elements of jazz and soul as soothing (but danceable!) alternatives puts Japanese producer Makoto at its center. His command of nuanced atmospheres has supported a career lasting more than 10 years.

As Makoto emerges with his new album, Souled Out (Human Elements), we thought it only proper to follow up with his selection of soothing weaponry. Read more below for his picks with our latest edition of Weekend Weapons.

Makoto, “Tower Of Love” [Human Elements]

Maybe it even doesn’t sound like drum ‘n’ bass, it sounds more like Motown or ‘60s soul music. Some people even told me it sounds like Paul Weller’s Style Council, which I have never thought of. After all, to me, this track is my own progression of soulful drum ‘n’ bass. I have been playing this every set and been having good reactions.

DJ Marky & S.P.Y, “Mystic Sunset” [Innerground]

Love this track’s chord progression so much, I feel good and positive whenever I play and listen to this. I can change up any mood in my set with this track, and that is very rare.

Makoto, “Bubbles” [Human Elements]

It’s 140 BPM with my favorite breakbeat ever, the “Amen” break. The title says the synth riff sounds like bubbles; I have put lots of layers of synth. Sometimes 140 BPM or slower tempo is really fun for me to do this kind of thing, much more space than 170 BPM. Also, I have been playing at the middle of my d’n’b set, and it still works. Glad to see drum ‘n’ bass DJs are supporting this track.

Calibre, “Schlager” [Signature]

It’s very, very simple, but every element in this is very effective. It’s Calibre’s magic which he can only do.

DJ Marky & XRS, “Striptease” [Bingo Beats]

I think this is one of my favorite drum ‘n’ bass tracks ever; I still play this quite often. It’s so simple, but so soulful, energetic and so beautiful.

London Elektricity, “The Plan That Cannot Fail” [Hospital Records]

This almost sounds like ‘70s jazz-fusion music meets 2011 elements. Since I have played this right after the big earthquake in Japan, I have been in love with this. It has been giving us positive feeling and the lights for the future, which Japan really needed at the time.

Dramatic & dbAudio, “So Strong” [Mars Recordings]

This track is kind of old-skool, new to me in very good way. It really reminds me mid-’90s atmospheric drum ‘n’ bass, which I loved so much.

Sinistarr & Jaybee, “Should I (Heavy1 Remix)” [Rubik Records]

Remixed by up-and-coming Japanese talent Heavy1. We didn’t see many Japanese drum ‘n’ bass producers in the past, so I’m really glad to see someone like him is making quality music in Japan, and I’m really happy to support them because of quality music.

Floating Points, “Marilyn” [Eglo]

I think this track is very forward. Unfortunately I can’t play it in my d’n’b set because of the tempo, but I would definitely play it in my alternative set. It sounds very synthetic, but it has got funk and soul, which is the reason why I love this track so much.

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