Yanni Ethnicity CD

Though Yanni is widely known as one of the most popular purveyors of New Age music, there's actually quite a bit going on here. In addition to the Greek keyboard whiz's usual arching, romantic melodies there are a host of other musical elements present. ETHNICITY is an eclectic mix of the operatic (check out Michelle Amato's pipes on "For All Seasons" and "Almost a Whisper"), the electronic (the pulsing, almost Moroder-esque sequencers on "Play Time" and "Written on the Wind"), and the ancient (the chanting on "Tribal Dream," the timeless-sounding flute work that permeates the album). Keying in on the album's title, the closing tune "Jivaeri" is a traditional Greek ballad that touches on Yanni's personal roots while still remaining very much of a piece with the rest of this sonically diverse offering.

Initial Run Incl.Bonus DVD Of Royal Albert Hall Show ++++

Audio Mixer: Yanni.

Recording information: Yanni's Private Studios (2002).

Arranger: Yanni.

Personnel: Yanni (arranger, piano, keyobards); Alfreda Gerald, Michelle Amato (vocals); Karen Briggs (violin); Pedro Eustache (flute, duduk, argul, Uillean pipes, saxophone); Noelani Brock, Regina Acuna-Williams, Peter Lehman, Randy Nichols, Suzy Park, Kurt Von Schmittou (background vocals).

Personnel: Michelle Amato, Randy Nichols, Kurt VonSchmittou, Alfreda Gerald (vocals); Pedro Eustache (chant, flute, duduk, Uilleann pipe, reeds, saxophone); Karen Briggs (violin).