Singer JEFF SCOTT SOTO (TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) has posted the following update regarding his upcoming solo CD, which he's been working on in Gothenburg, Sweden:

"What can I say? Speechless actually... it's common that most artists boast about the current album they're working on as the best they've ever done &/or made, naturally we as artists not only like to believe in ourselves as much as pimp the hell out of new stuff but once in a while, the sentiments match the emotions.

It's 32º outside (0º Celcius), snowing a bit and I am just returning from the gym here. I'm happy to report we're into the final stretch of the new album here (not yet titled) in Gothenburg Sweden and I'm over the moon, beyond leaps and bounds on what I expected on this one (and I had huge expectations going in!).

Monstrous credit and kudos go out 1st to my producer/collaborator/co-writer and outright genius, Paulo "The Mendo" Mendonça. If I haven't stated it before, the guy has music and creativity flowing through his soul like no one I've ever worked with!! I was a huge fan of his 2nd album (Different Phases), the one I discovered this guy and his music, from then I knew I had to meet and work with him someday. I discovered 'this' album in 1994 while doing a promo tour for one of my own (Love Parade) in Germany... the label exec/record store owner knew I loved the R&B; laced rock handed me Paulo's album as he knew it was right up my alley. Paulo grew up in Sweden (parents from Angola & Portugal, growing up in Sweden, how's that for complex?) so naturally he was considered a Swedish artist but his success came more in Germany and Switzerland where he released 3 successful solo albums in the 90's. Out of frustration of where my sound seemed stagnant, I knew I had to do something new, something fresh, if not for me but for the longevity of my career. I was in England on the Lost In The Translation tour in 2004 & had one of those 'where am I going' nights I happened to be listening to Different Phases and realised 'this is what I want, this is the guy who can do it for me!'.

In my overly ambitious manner, I spent the next day calling contacts and associates who might know where to find Paulo, he'd dropped out of the scene as an artist shortly after his 3rd album, 11PM. The internet was no help and it was a needle in a haystack regarding info on the guy but I eventually found him, luckily for me, as part of a new international publishing company he co-owns called Phrased Differently where he was now strictly a writer/producer...could this situation get any better? Yes it can.

After finally getting his contacts, the 1st text to him explaining who I (thankfully he already knew!) and what my idea of collaborating was, his initial reply was 'anytime, anywhere!'. We finally met and wrote our 1st couple of songs early 2005 which leads us here now....

2 + years in the making, tours with Soul SirkUS/Journey/Talisman/solo, albums and sessions galore and trying to squeeze in as much as we could in between to put priority on this album, I can finally say I am a week away from completing it finally.

With all of this said, I can summarize my opening statement....this is quintessentially the best album I have ever done!! I know a lot will disagree because it doesn't really fit in with the last 2 AOR/melodic rock style albums, this one taps onto a whole new territory for me. It mixes soul, R&B;, pop, and groove with rock edge at times but the bottom line is it KICKS ASS! The album is mostly co-written by Paulo, myself and other writers from the Phrased Differently house as well as along with my Aussie buddy Ben Carey (Savage Garden/Lifehouse) and newcomer Sam Grow. It may alienate the traditional JSS fan who wants more 'Stand Up & Shout' or 'Lost In The Translation' but I know the diehards who understand what I am truly about will hear this as the new beginning for me as I do. It is the perfect musical smorgasbord of influences I love all in one stew! You'll have to wait until we're completely happy with mixes and mastering before any samples will be unleashed but this for me has to be treated like the bottle of fine wine it is.

There you go, my final peace on it until it reaches your ears, I had to release my enthusiasm a bit before continuing. Wish us luck!!

JSS."