Amongst a number of bands to have been blessed with the involvement of vocalist JEFF SCOTT SOTO, TAKARA appeared at first to be something of a pet project for the then TALISMAN frontman. Soto not only sang on the 'Eternal Faith' album, he also acted as producer. Following this opening outing guitarist GARY SCHUTT took the solo path, issuing the 'Sentimental' album and would also feature on JEFF SCOTT SOTO's 'Love Parade' record.

Soto would be back with TAKARA for the 1995 'Taste Of Heaven' album, not only supplying lead vocals but acting as producer once again too. With the Grusky / Soto axis joined by bassist Carl DeMarco and drummer Robert Duda another guest session saw the addition of the esteemed Bob Daisley of OZZY OSBOURNE, RAINBOW and MOTHER'S ARMY on bass. Despite reports that Soto intended to let guitarist Neal Grusky recruit a new singer and continue the project Soto was once more upfront for the second album, 'Blind In Paradise', released in 1998. The band was rounded out by bassist Carl Demarco once more with Eric Ragno as keyboard player. Ragno would found EQUINOX during 2001.

A new TAKARA frontman, Portland native Michael James Flatters, would be announced for the 2001 album 'Perception Of Reality'. Flatters had previously fronted up the JAMES BYRD solo album 'Flying Beyond The 9' and had guested at a one off performance for Metal band HEIR APPARENT at the 'Wacken Open Air' festival in Germany. Released in Europe through the Finnish Lion Music label, America through Metal Mayhem and in Japan via Avalon Marquee the record would also see new faces keyboard player Brook Hansen, and drummer Chad Clark joining the established duo of Grusky and Demarco. Ex-drummer Bob Duda would join Los Angeles tribute bands SLIPPERY WHEN WET and PYROMANIA.

Erstwhile guitarist Gary Schutt, having featured on DANTE CATT's 'Curiosity Kills' album, would also appear as part of JEFF SCOTT SOTO's backing band for his solo performance at the 2002 British 'Gods' festival. In mid 2002 TAKARA unveiled a fresh rhythm section comprising bassist the SOUL SIGN, TAMPLIN and WHITE DIAMOND credited Bjorn Englen and drummer Jerry Summers. Meantime, Soto was to front the NEAL SCHON led SOUL SIRKUS 'supergroup'.

The band donated a rendition of the JOURNEY classic 'Any Way You Want It' to a Brazilian tribute album issued by the Frontline label in 2003. Neal Grusky got in on the tribute action too, laying down lead guitar on a version of the SCORPIONS 'Pictured Life' for a Lion Music ULI JON ROTH homage collection. Michael James Flatters left the band in early 2005. That same year Bjorn Englen hooked up with the ROBIN McAULEY fronted BLEED. In 2006 Eric Ragno sessioned for album recordings by THE STORM and TWO FIRES guitarist Josh Ramos' project RAMOS.

Neal Grusky featured as a solo artist on the February 2009 compilation album 'Shredding All Over The World: Vol II'.