Keys to Imagination
Keys to Imagination is the second studio album by Greek keyboardist and composer Yanni, released on the Private Music label in 1986.
| 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 | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  |
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 [slave] keyboards" and that "the most simple sounds on Keys to Imagination are made with at least two or three keyboards."[3]
Critical reception
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
| 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 |
- 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 The Rock-afire Explosion 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 Yanni
Production
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