| Keys to Imagination | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 18, 1986 | |||
| Genre | Instrumental, space music [1] | |||
| Length | 38:13 | |||
| Label | Private Music | |||
| Producer | Yanni | |||
| Yanni chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [2] |
Keys to Imagination is the second studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on the Private Music label in 1986.
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]
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]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Yanni recorded Keys to Imagination at his home studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Yiannis Chryssomallis, known professionally as Yanni, is a Greek-American composer, keyboardist, pianist, and music producer.
Theme of Secrets was a 'New Age' album written and produced by Eddie Jobson, released in 1985. Contrarily to his previous album The Green Album (1983), this record was not marketed as a band effort, instead being presented as an Eddie Jobson solo album and a showcase for the Synclavier.
Live at the Acropolis is the first live album and concert film by the Greek keyboardist, composer, and producer Yanni, released on March 1, 1994, on Private Music. It was recorded at the Herodes Atticus Theatre in Athens, Greece during his 1993 tour in support of his eighth studio album, In My Time (1993). The concert took a year and a half to organise and cost Yanni $2 million of his own money to fund. He performs with his six-piece band and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Shahrdad Rohani. The album was mixed and produced by Yanni in his studio, and was made into a television special which aired in the United States on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
In My Time is the ninth studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on the Private Music label in 1993. This album is a gentler collection of piano-focused pieces. The album attained Platinum status and was the second Grammy nomination for Yanni. It peaked at #1 on "Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart and at #24 on the "Billboard 200" chart in the same year.
Optimystique is the debut studio album by Greek keyboardist, composer, and producer Yanni, released in 1980 independently. It was re-released in 1984 by Varèse Sarabande and in 1989 by Private Music.
Out of Silence is the third studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released by Private Music in 1987. Its corresponding concert tour was the 1987 Concert Series.
Chameleon Days is the fourth studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on the Private Music label in 1988. It peaked at #2 on Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart in the same year.
Niki Nana is the fifth studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released in August 1989 by Private Music.
Reflections of Passion is the first compilation album and sixth album overall by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on May 15, 1990 by Private Music. It is a selection of tracks from his five previous studio albums, released between 1980 and 1989, plus three new compositions. Yanni was encouraged to release the album by his then partner, actress Linda Evans.
In Celebration of Life is the second compilation album and seventh album overall by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on the Private Music label in 1991. Like its predecessor, Reflections of Passion, it consisted mostly of songs taken from Yanni's four previous albums. Unlike Reflections of Passion, it did not include any new material nor any songs from Yanni's debut album, Optimystique. However, it did include one song taken from a multi-artist benefit album, Polar Shift.
Dare to Dream is the eighth studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released in March 1992 on Private Music. The album peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Top New Age Albums chart and at No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart in the same year. It went gold within two months of its release and was nominated for a Grammy.
Ethnicity is the thirteenth studio album by Yanni, released on February 11, 2003 by Virgin Records. It peaked at #27 on Billboard's "Top Internet Albums" chart and at #27 on the "Billboard 200" chart in 2003. It also peaked at #1 on the "Top New Age Albums" chart in 2004.
Yanni Live! The Concert Event is the third live album by Yanni. It was recorded live at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas on November 6, 2004, and released in August 2006 as a CD and concert film on DVD. The album peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart; No. 6 on the "Top Independent Albums" chart; No. 84 on the "Billboard 200" chart; and at No. 84 on the "Top Internet Albums" chart, during the same year.
X-Static is the eighth studio album by American pop music duo Daryl Hall & John Oates. The album was released in September 1979, by RCA Records. Buddah Records re-released the album with two bonus tracks in 2000. "Wait for Me" reached #18 on the Billboard charts and won a BMI airplay award.
Surveillance is the ninth studio album by Canadian hard rock band Triumph, released July 27, 1987. The album was recorded at Metalworks Studios, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. This is the last Triumph album to feature Rik Emmett until his return to the band in 2008.
A synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis and frequency modulation synthesis. These sounds may be altered by components such as filters, which cut or boost frequencies; envelopes, which control articulation, or how notes begin and end; and low-frequency oscillators, which modulate parameters such as pitch, volume, or filter characteristics affecting timbre. Synthesizers are typically played with keyboards or controlled by sequencers, software or other instruments, and may be synchronized to other equipment via MIDI.
The Private Years is a box set released by Private Music in 1999. It features five of Yanni's albums for Private Music: Reflections of Passion, In Celebration of Life, Dare to Dream, In My Time, and Live at the Acropolis, as well as the DVD of his concert film, Live at the Acropolis.
Secret Agent is the third solo album by English singer Robin Gibb, released in 1984. The album enjoyed limited success, mostly in Europe and Australia. The lead single "Boys Do Fall in Love" made the Top 10 in Italy and South Africa.
The Very Best of Yanni is a compilation album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on the Private Music label in 2000. The album peaked at #3 on Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart in the same year.
Forbidden Dreams: Encore Collection, Volume 2 is a compilation album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on BMG Special Products label in 1998. It peaked at #7 on Billboard's "Top New Age Albums" chart in 1999.
