TAKARA
Perception Of Reality (2002)
Miles Away
Shadows in the Night
Tomorrow
Without You
Ready to Promise
L.I.E.S.
Dream of It All
Believe
Tell Me
Blind In Paradise (1998)
Take U down
Your love 2night
Fly 2 your arms
Love is gone
What do U want from me
Time waits 4 no one
Blind in paradise
Don't wanna be alone
No love's enough
Lookin' out
Say U'll stay
Awake and dreaming
Taste Of Heaven (1995)
When Darkness Falls
Days of Dawn
Your Love
December
Last Mistake
Taste of Heaven
Sacred Pleasure
2 Late
Save Me
Lonely Shade of Blue
Again Your Love Is Mine [Acoustic]
Restless Heart [Acoustic]
Eternal Faith (1993)
Spotlight
Two Hearts Together
Don't Walk Away
Just Like Yesterday
Restless Heart
First Attraction
I Don't Believe
Fallen Angel
Colors Fade
Passions of the Heart

Takara was originally formed in August of 1987. After a few months rehearsals Takara made their debut in October with a show in Hollywood. With this debut show came the start of Takara’s career. Takara proceeded to play many more shows throughout 1987-88. In November of 1988 Takara went into the studio to record their first demo with producer Jeff Scott Soto. As Takara entered the studio it became apparent that the current singer of Takara was not ready to record. In order to finish the new Takara demo, Jeff Scott Soto was asked to help out, and sing on the demo. Thus then began a very long and prosperous relationship between Takara and Jeff Scott Soto. In 1990 Takara again with Jeff Soto producing, and singing went back into the studio to record what would then become their debut CD Eternal Faith Takara recorded ten new songs for this soon to be CD. Between Neal Grusky’s guitar work, and Jeff’s vocals it seemed like a perfect match. In 1992 Takara regrouped and added new members that would be a part of the debut CD. Takara's line was now complete with Jeff Soto on vocals, Neal Grusky on Guitar, Bob Duda on Drums and Gary Schutt on Bass. In August of 1993 Takara was rewarded for all their hard work and sacrifice. Zero corporation(Japan) and Now and Then records(Europe) offered Takara a deal to release their first CD "Eternal Faith". The album was released in December 1993 to a very receptive audience. This new CD entered the Burrn Charts at #16, and European charts at #8 and went onto to sell 15,000 worldwide. These were very impressive numbers for a band that didn’t even tour Japan or Europe. Takara received much acclaim for this CD in the magazines, and radio.

After a short break the band began work on what was to become their 2nd CD Taste of Heaven. Right before rehearsals began for "Taste of Heaven" Bassist Carl Demarco joined Takara. With this lineup together Neal,Jeff, Carl, and Bob set out to pick up where "Eternal Faith" left off, and produce an album that took Takara fans to new heights. Takara once again had to not only come up with a great CD, but avoid the sophomore jinx that had so commonly plagued many other bands after a excellent debut CD. After a short break Takara returned to the studio to record their long awaited 2nd CD "Taste of Heaven". This time around the band had some very special surprises in store for their fans. This time around the band enlisted Bob Daisley on bass, from Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, etc. The band felt his guest performances on two songs, and his direction from all his years of experience would be important to the outcome of this new CD. Also, The band provided two acoustic bonus tracks, "Restless Heart" and "Your Love.".

Taste of Heaven was released in May of 1995. Magazine and radio play attention was quickly focusing their eyes on this new and exciting band that had emerged from nowhere creating one hit after another. Zero corporation (Japan) and Long Island records (Europe) released this CD and never looked back. Upon its release "Taste of Heaven" was selling so well that Long Island records brought Takara to Germany for a promo tour. After one week in Germany Takara returned home to find that their new CD had broken into the Billboard chart for Japan and hit #96.

In 1996 Saraya recordings a new U.S. label asked to release "Eternal Faith" and " Taste of Heaven" as its first releases. Now for the first time Takara had a U.S. label. The band felt that there was momentum starting to build and wasted no time in going back to work on it’s third release. In 1998 Takara released it’s third CD Blind in Paradise. This was released through Zero corp(Japan), Point Music (Europe), and Saraya recordings(US). With this release Takara added keyboardist Eric Ragno. Takara had been looking for quite sometime for a permanent keyboardist and Eric seemed to be their guy for this new CD. With this release, the combination of Jeff and Neal writing was really starting to mature.

Shortly after the release of "Blind in Paradise" All of Takara’s labels celebrated their short but very successful career by releasing "Eternity" Best OF... This CD was celebrated by press and radio alike to glowing reviews. !

Late in 1998 the Takara lineup went through an enormous change. Two thirds of Takara had exited the band for various reasons. After the smoke cleared all that was left was Guitarist leader Neal Grusky and Bassist Carl Demarco. Now the search was on to find people that shared the same ideas on music, and dedication that Neal and Carl viewed important to the bands continued success. First came Drummer Chad Clark. His addition provided a solid backbone that Takara sorely needed. He also brought with him years of experience playing live and recording that had a profound influence that no one could deny. Most importantly he brought this chemistry that Carl and Neal had yet to feel ever! Second, came long time friend, and keyboardist Brook Hansen. Brook and Neal had known each other for years, and always shared similar ideas on music. Finally, the last to come aboard was vocalist extrodinaire Michael James Flatters (Byrd). With the band complete, Takara entered the studio in February of 2000 to record their 4th CD, Perception of Reality.

After one year "Perception of Reality" was completed. The band felt it had created one of the best, and most exciting CD’s yet in the Takara career. With songs like "Miles Away", Shadows in the Night", "Simple Man", and "Without You" who could deny Takara had missed a step with this new lineup and new album. With this new lineup Takara is the most energized it has ever been, and ready to embark on the next chapter of their history.