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Keys to Imagination

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Keys to Imagination
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 1986
GenreInstrumental, space music[1]
Length38:13
LabelPrivate Music
ProducerYanni
Yanni chronology
Optimystique
(1984)
Keys to Imagination
(1986)
Out of Silence
(1987)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

Keys to Imagination is the second studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on the Private Music label in 1986.

Background & production

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In an interview with Cymbiosis, Yanni said that he often spent 12–15 hours a day producing the album. Yanni also stated that his favorite part about producing the album was to activate "up to six or seven [slave] keyboards" and that "the most simple sounds on Keys to Imagination are made with at least two or three keyboards."[3]

Critical reception

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In a review by Backroads Music/Heartbeats, "Yanni's first Private Music release is a true masterpiece of dramatic synthesizer music. His music is lusty and brilliant, richly melodious and memorable, full of passion & life as befits his Greek heritage. One of the ultimate car-stereo albums, Yanni's flamboyant, superb style of compositions makes Keys to Imagination some of the most extravagant, hyperspace music we know."[1] Mark Jacobs of Cymbiosis, praised the album, writing "Yanni displays sensitivity and warmth that conveys emotions to the listener while still achieving excellent recorded sound; qualities that are sadly lacking on many 'Synthesizer' albums." Jacobs cited two songs, "Looking Glass" and "Santorini", which were also included in the corresponding cassette for the magazine.[3]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."The North Shore of Matsushima"5:08
2."Looking Glass"6:35
3."Nostalgia"4:27
4."Santorini"4:34
5."Port of Mystery"4:49
6."Keys to Imagination"5:13
7."Forgotten Yesterdays"3:30
8."Forbidden Dreams"3:57
Notes

Personnel

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  • All music composed and produced by Yanni

Production

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Yanni recorded Keys to Imagination at his home studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  • Executive Producer: Peter Baumann
  • Mixed by Peter Baumann, Jerry Steckling, and Yanni
  • Engineer: Jerry Steckling
  • Assistant Engineer: Chris Bubacz
  • Mastered at Masterdisk (New York City by Bob Ludwig)
  • Cover concept: Peter Baumann
  • Photo-Illustration: Stafford/Wehlacz for Prima Vista Studios
  • Art Direction: Dale Wehlacz
  • Photography: Stafford
  • Photocomposite: M. Bonner

References

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  1. ^ a b Backroads Music. "Review of Keys to Imagination". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
  2. ^ AllMusic
  3. ^ a b Jacobs, Mark (August 1987). "Yanni - New Orchestral Landscapes". Cymbiosis. 1 (3). West Covina, California: 36–38. ISSN 0895-6936. OCLC 16743840.
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