# Out of the Loop (Brecker Brothers album)

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | |
Out of the Loop is the seventh and final studio album by the Brecker Brothers that was released by GRP Records in 1994. In 1995 the album won the brothers two Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance (now known as Best Contemporary Jazz Album) and Best Instrumental Composition (for Michael Brecker's "African Skies").

## Reception

At AllMusic, Jim Newsom gave the album four stars and wrote, "The album is surprisingly strong, and any fears of a paint-by-numbers attempt to cash in on past glories are quickly dispelled with the opening 'Slang', which is reminiscent of Amandla-era Miles. Here, as throughout the disc, Michael's sax solo burns with abandon, while brother Randy's trumpet glides across a tastefully smooth and melodic terrain".

## Personnel

* Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone, arrangements (1, 5, 8), soprano saxophone (4, 5), Akai EWI (4, 5, 7, 8)
* Randy Brecker – trumpet (1, 2, 3, 5–8), flugelhorn (4, 9), arrangements (7)
* George Whitty – keyboards (1, 7, 8, 9), Hammond organ bass (1), arrangements (1, 5, 7, 8, 9), acoustic piano (2), keyboard programming (4)
* Chris Botti – keyboard programming (2), bass and drum programming (2), arrangements (2)
* Andy Snitzer – keyboard programming (2), bass and drum programming (2), arrangements (2)
* Maz Kessler – keyboards (3, 6), rhythm programming (3), arrangements (3, 6)
* Robbie Kilgore – keyboards (3, 6), rhythm programming (3), arrangements (3, 6), guitars (6)
* Eliane Elias – keyboards (4), vocals (4), arrangements (4)
* Dean Brown – guitars (1, 2, 3, 6–9), electric guitar (4, 5)
* Larry Saltzman – guitars (2)
* James Genus – bass (1, 4, 7, 8, 9), acoustic bass (3)
* Armand Sabal-Lecco – bass (5), acoustic piccolo bass (5), vocals (5)
* Steve Jordan – drums (1, 7, 8, 9)
* Shawn Pelton – drums (2)
* Rodney Holmes – drums (4, 5)
* Steve Thornton – percussion (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
* Mark Ledford – additional backing vocals (4)
Production
* Dave Grusin – executive producer
* Larry Rosen – executive producer
* George Whitty – producer (1, 5, 7, 8, 9), additional recording
* Chris Botti – producer (2), additional recording
* Andy Snitzer – producer (2), additional recording
* Maz Kessler – producer (3, 6), mixing (3, 6), additional recording
* Robbie Kilgore – producer (3, 6), mixing (3, 6), additional recording
* Elaine Elias – producer (4), editing
* James Farber – recording, mixing (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
* "Q" Engstrom – mixing (3, 6)
* Rich Lamb – additional recording
* Hiro Ishihara – assistant engineer
* Chris Albert – mix assistant (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
* Scott Austin – mix assistant (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
* Rory Romano – mix assistant (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
* Robert Smith – mix assistant (3, 6)
* Ron Bach – editing engineer
* Joseph Doughney – post-production engineer
* Michael Landy – post-production engineer
* Scott Hull – mastering at Masterdisk (New York, NY)
* Cara Bridgins – production coordinator
* Joseph Moore – assistant production coordinator
* Sonny Mediana – production director, art direction
* Andy Baltimore – creative director
* Darryl Pitt – cover concept
* Laurie Goldman – graphic design
* Matt Zumbo – front cover illustration
* Kim Steele – back cover photography

## Awards

Grammy Awards
| Year | Winner | Category |
| 1995 | Brecker Brothers | Best Contemporary Jazz Album |
| 1995 | Michael Brecker ("African Skies") | Best Instrumental Composition |