Born in Kobe, Japan, Makoto Kuriya spent most of the 1980s in the U.S., where he studied linguistics at West Virginia University, music at The University of Pittsburgh, and developed his chops as a jazz pianist and composer, touring with the likes of Grammy-winning trumpeter Chuck Mangione.

Makoto returned to Japan in 1990 and quickly established a reputation for crafting innovative music that appeals to a wide range of audiences. Drawing on an insatiable curiosity for all things musical, he often fuses jazz, classical, electronic, MIDI, dance, Latin and other world influences with traditional Japanese instruments and music.

He has recorded a dozen albums in diverse genres, including the platinum-selling soundtrack of his score for the award-winning film 'New Genesis Evangelion.' Makoto has won acclaim as well for other film and television scores in addition to earning worldwide accolades and awards as a concert performer, classical composer, and director-producer. Simultaneously, he has forged a career as one of Japan's most successful Pop producers, working with chart topping acts such as Ken Hirai, and is in demand as a producer for club dance tracks.

LocoBop is proud to release Makoto Kuriya's very first album, 'Always Your Friend,' which was recorded in The USA shortly before he returned to Japan in 1990.