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Gota Yashiki Gota Yashiki was born in Kyoto in 1962, where he was taught by his father to play the traditional Japanese drums (similar to Kodo). In 1982, he moved to Tokyo and joined Rude Flower who later became the highly acclaimed reggae influenced band Mute Beat, as a vocalist/drummer. Following year, he joined Melon on their British and European tour entitled "Serious Japanese Tour" in 1983 which brought the band international recognition. In 1986, he came to London with Melon to record the album "Deep Cut" for CBSÊand the following year the band played a sell-out show at the Astoria in London. Meanwhile "Hardcore Hawaiian"(re-mixed by Bob Cat, who produced Boyz II Men), a single from the album reached No.17 in the NME dance chart (the Hip-Hop scene had not yet taken off at the time). Gota then returned to Tokyo to produce other artists' albums and also started working for Major Force (credited on Public Enemy's album as "respect due to..."), an independent record label formed by several players/producers. In 1988, after producing African artists based in Paris, Gota returned to London and started working with Soul II Soul and Bomb The Bass. He then went on to tour with Bomb The Bass in the UK and Europe. Gota played a major part in the creation of "Jazzie's Groove" by programming, playing drums and bass on the single"Back To Life" (you know the beat I'm talking about!) and programming on "Get A Life". He was also involved with most Soul II Soul re-mixes (unfortunately incorrectly credited on the sleeves) and contributed immensely to the British dance music scene. He worked on Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U", playing all the instruments. About the same time, he also resumed working on film soundtracks. He then went on to produce albums by Michael Rose, Bomb The Bass and to work as a "Groove Activator" on tracks by ABC, Gavin Friday, Swing Out Sister, Kindness of Strangers and Vivienne McKone. He also produced Seal, with Tim Simenon, on one of the versions of "Crazy", which was released as "Krazy" on a 12". From this Trevor Horn got ideas for his version of "Crazy". At the same time as working as a producer, Gota joined Simply Red in March 1991 for the recording of the multi-million-seller "Stars". After recording was completed, he produced Nokko's debut album "Hallelujah", which has sold over 700,000 copies. After nearly two years, he finished the sell-out World Tour which took the band to the USA, Europe and Australia amongst other destinations. His unique programming skills and drumming abilities brought a powerful new dimension to the band, both on record and on stage, and no doubt contributed significantly to the band's recent success. In 1992, while still with Simply Red, Gota wrote and recorded a team song for Nagoya Grampus 8, the Japanese professional football team that Gary Lineker plays for. In the first half of 1993, Gota worked with Stewart Levine on Oleta Adams' new album as the "Groove Activator" as well as working on Seal's second album and for Heitor T.P. (guitarist with Simply Red). He then went on to do remix and additional production on several Bjšrk tracks with Mick Hucknall (released as single in USA). During the summer, he completed his first leader album entitled "Somethin' To Talk About" as Gota & The Heart of Gold, which was released in Japan and several other countries at the end of the year to great critical acclaim receiving awards. After recording this album, he again teamed up with Mick Hucknall to produce an album for the singer Christopher. Gota began 1994 by working with such artists as Noah and by preparing for the release of his first single and album in this country. In May, a highly successful showcase was played at the packed Ronnie Scott's (it was so full that some people could not get in!) with a band that included Bernie Worrell (Parliament/Funkaedelic), Vivienne McKone and the featured singer on the album, Carroll Thompson. In June, the video to the debut single, "Someday", was shown exclusively on the Chart Show, followed by the release of the single. He also found some time to work for French group, Stone Age, as well as a French singer, Laurie Elle, over the summer. He then decided to concentrate on his own work and the latter half of the year was spent writing and recording for "Live Wired Electro", the follow up to "Somethin' to Talk About". The recording of "Live Wired Electro" continued into the early part of 1995 and this time round, Gota has decided to go with the new monicker, Gota & The Low Dog now that he has found a vocalist that he can work with on a permanent basis in the form of a promising new talent, Warren Dowd. Once this album was finished, he managed to squeeze in session with other people and worked with Neneh Cherry on a track, for a Marvin Gaye tribute album, with more collaboration in the pipeline. After which, he produced a highly promising new Japanese artist. He is also planning to work with Depthcharge (Jonathan Kane) in the near future when he has some time. "Live Wired Electro" was released in Japan in April coinciding with Gota's first solo Japanese tour. In the UK, "Good Time Here" was released as a single in mid-June with appearances on The Beat, Good Morning Summer, Big E, Paint It Red and WENN as well as the video being shown on the Chart Show and BPM. Second Single, "Hey Bulldog" was released in the middle of September with the album, "Live Wired Electro" out on the 16th of Ocotber. Since the release of the album, Gota was asked by his old friends, Tim Simenon and Nellie Hooper who were producing ex-James vocalist Tim Booth, to work as a Groove Activator. Gota's groove was also used by Alanis Morissette, one of the hottest artist to emerge in 1995, on her multi-million selling album, "Jagged Little Pill". He is currently working with Warren on the new Low Dog album. This is due to be released in Japan in Spring/Summer with release in other countries to follow. PRODUCTION / CO-WRITING
REMIXES / ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION
PROGRAMMING / PLAYING / ARRANGER
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