''Keys to Imagination'' is the second studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer

Yanni Yiannis Chryssomallis (; born November 14, 1954), known professionally as Yanni ( ), is a Greek composer, keyboardist, pianist, and music producer. Yanni continues to use the musical shorthand that he developed as a child, blending jazz, clas ...

, released on the

Private Music Private Music was an American independent record label founded in 1984 by musician Peter Baumann as a "home for instrumental music". Baumann signed Ravi Shankar, Yanni, Suzanne Ciani, Andy Summers, Patrick O'Hearn, Leo Kottke, and his for ...

label in 1986.

Background & production

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 lavekeyboards" and that "the most simple sounds on ''Keys to Imagination'' are made with at least two or three keyboards."

Critical reception

In a review by Backroads Music/Heartbeats, "

's first

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." 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.

Track listing

;Notes *"Port of Mystery" is most well-known around the web as being one of the background tracks used in The "Concept Unification" installation videotape from 1989, which instructed the process that replaced

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animatronic band at ShowBiz Pizza Place with characters from Chuck E. Cheese's due to a licensing disagreement with Creative Engineering.

Personnel

*All music composed and produced by

Production

Yanni recorded ''Keys to Imagination'' at his home studio in

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. *Executive Producer: Peter Baumann *Mixed by Peter Baumann, Jerry Steckling, and

*Engineer: Jerry Steckling *Assistant Engineer: Chris Bubacz *Mastered at Masterdisk (

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

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

External links

Official Website
* {{Authority control Yanni albums 1986 albums Space music albums by Greek artists