BW&BK; has received the following press release:

TAKARA has officially announced the addition of Brazilian singing sensation Gustavo Monsanto. Gustavo Monsanto formerly of the band ADAGIO and ASTRA will join Takara for the upcoming, and as of yet untitled album recording that is currently being recorded in Los Angeles at Big Swede Studios engineered by Stephan Svenson, and produced by guitarist/writer/producer, and founder of Takara, Neal Grusky for Tikvah productions. Joining Gustavo in Takara, are YNGWIE MALMSTEEN bassist and drummer, Bjorn Englen and Patrick Johannson and long time Takara keyboardist Brook Hansen. As Takara prepares for a 2008 release of it's new album, plans are currently in the works for the release of a Takara live CD/DVD best of album. Also, in the works for release are previously unreleased demo's from 1988. Takara will also be announcing plans for a first time performance since the release of their first CD, Eternal Faith. Also, Takara will be re-recording the song "Spotlight" from their first album, Eternal Faith, to be released on the as of yet untitled new album. For more information visit www.myspace.com/takararocks or www.takararocks.com.

Monsanto comments: "It is official: I will be flying to Los Angeles really soon to finish the vocals on Takara's new album. I've been following the band for a long time and the fact they think highly enough of my work to replace JEFF SCOTT SOTO in the band. I met Jeff a while ago, who gave me his full blessings when I mentioned the negotiations with Takara and I also had a blast with Patrick Johansson, the drummer in the band when he was in Brazil to play with Yngwie. I am really busy finishing lyrics and melodies in my home studio and will keep you all posted about this new endeavour."