Those who feel that Yanni is all new age fluff will be surprised by this album. Many of the cuts are very dynamic and moving. Almost Rick Wakeman inspired tracks. Sounding somewhat like sports show themes, the pieces are synthetic and dramatic.

The whole album is really good. Some of his best work in my opinion. But Twilight stands above even the other tracks as an excellent song!

If you like his other albums, but think he is a bit on the light side, give this album a try. It's the most intense of his music.

This was originally recorded in 1980 and reflects that time and technology. Also not mentioned anywhere in the liner notes is the fact that

several of these pieces were originally parts of rock songs from the band Yanni was in called CHAMELEON.

If you come to this album after having heard Yanni's more recent material, this will seem odd and definitely not up to snuff sound-wise.

But as a "document" of his early days and for any 1978-1984 Minnesota rock band or CHAMELEON fans out there, this will evoke some fond memories.

I do wish some of CHAMELEON's recordings were available on CD, particularly TECHNOCOLOR or the single of STRANDED.

Michael D Walker

Owner, [...]

I have been fan of Yanni for two decades now. I own all of his music cds and the only one I was missing was "Optimistique." Because Yanni was a bit younger when he wrote this cd, his music is much more positively dynamic and powerful, while still maintains vivid emotions of optimism and positive humanism, which are the main haracteristic of Yanni's music.

I have listened to a lot of neo classical new age/pop music. Yanni's music is different and distinct-He makes you feel and breath like a decent human being with your hope and faith restored once again after a long day at the office. Although I do not identify with the spirituality of New Age music, his music is one of a kind-a modern Tsaikofski-as they used to call him. His music is progressive as it gives meaning to my life as negative feelings are set aside and neutrilized everytime I listening to him.

I can't recommend this cd high enough. Hope He continues to write more encouraging music-we all need to restore our faith in humanity and the world.

Stelios Nicolaou

Author of:

Depression: My Witness, Your Solution

(Five easy Steps to Reprogram Your little Inner Monologue and Set your Mind Free).

Optimystique is one of Yanni's first albums (perhaps his first), and I rate it one of his BEST! Yanni is a keyboard genius, and apparently has been since the get-go. This album is (fortunately) devoid of the vocal dilution present on his more recent albums. This album is PURE Yanni, and I heartily recommend it!