MAKOTO Spirit of the Islands featuring
 Eric Kamau Gravatt Quincy Jones knows a thing or two about arranging and producing. In the early 80s he recognized a fresh, creative talent and signed MAKOTO to his Qwest Records label, releasing two CDs. These CDs, Nside and a self titled Makoto are also available on cdbaby. Get ready to experience a stunning range and breathe of musical ideas on MAKOTO’S new release Spirit of the Islands. Makoto seamlessly blends Seattle funk with catchy Malian and Jamaican infused beats, to visits with jazz and fusion worlds of the ancient future. Only an artist who has mastered his craft could such an ambitious and creative project be realized. Following an extended sabbatical from music during which he raised a family, MAKOTO returns. He is a third generation Japanese-American musician, who during the 1970s pioneered fusing Asian music with African-American music. He studied guitar with Larry Coryell and Bill Connors (Return to Forever’s first guitarist) and composition with Julian Priester and Davoud Johnson. Featuring ex-Weather Report and longtime McCoy Tyner band member Eric Kamau Gravatt on drums, and includes Hiroyuki Shido, Bass; Masaru Koga, Reeds, Fue, Shakuflute; Kenny Endo (Grandmaster Taiko Drummer), Taiko, Tsutumi, & Percussion; George T. Abe, Fue; Isaku Kageyama, Congas, Percussion; Marcus Choi, Acoustic Piano; Yun Kyon Jin, Piri Spirit of the Island is the culmination of a life immersed in music that will take you on a journey to the ancient future to visit musical worlds you may not have imagined. We hope you will enjoy the journey! kultonerecords.com makotosbeat.com