Customer Reviews

Out of the Loop

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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I have had this album for many years now. I am only a junior in college, however I'm in music school - I have just recently dug deeper into this album after learning more here. The stuff Michael and Randy play are just heart-stopping. Rediculous. Michael's lines are so out and crazy, yet beautiful. They keep you listening on the edge of your seat. Randy's playing on this album is quite the opposite - its warm and mellow. He pours his heart out through his horn. The mixture of these two with the outstanding arrangments of great song ideas are indispensable. This album is a staple in a musician's listening and learning experience. All other audiences will also be in shock as they listen to what Michael and Randy say musically.

There are times in which the intuition, the joyous rapture and the inspiration seemed to melt in the right proportions to make an unforgettable record. In the jazz story there are many examples.
But in the particular case in what it concerns the Brecker Brothers made to my mind their best achievement, without any shadow of doubt. Fascinating, exciting and captivating in every track. There is not any hole all along this work.

Simply extraordinary and consider this title among the cream of the cream albums during that year.

Probably the most consistently solid Brecker Brothers recording since the earliest, and with the added benefit of the many years of maturing that has made these two guys into the best at what they do. Great writing throughout without the throwaway numbers on the previous GRP release. Worth the price alone for Slang, African Skies, and Nightwalker...but it's all good!

The greatest brothers in jazz since the Adderlys; Coltrane and Davis reappear in the same family. Although called "Out of the Loop", this album has a more popular sound than most Brecker work. Evocations (track 2) has a "smooth jazz" sound, though far superior to it; and there is also a Brazilian style number (Secret Heart, track 4) an afro-latin beat (African Skies, track 5) and simple funk (When it Was, track 6). Great ballads are included, particular the ultimate Breckers' ballad, "And then She Wept (track 9).

This is even better than its predecessor, "Return Of The Brecker Brothers." The program consists of mostly original compositions as usual, but this time, the emphasis is slightly more on the late Michael's tunes instead of Randy's. Chris Botti also appears as a guest musician, writer and producer, and the tracks are all particularly strong. I don't recall a dud in the bunch. Well, RIP to Michael Brecker. We'll have his solo recordings as well as those made with Randy, Dreams and his many session dates to remember him by.

I cannot put into words how this CD affects me. This is Jazz - the real thing - at its best. Killer improv; the chemistry between all the players is really something. This CD won the Grammy the year it came out and for good cause. This is definitely a CD I would take with me on that deserted island. I wouldn't want to be without this recording. It is in my top 3 favorites of all time.

I've owned at least four copies of this cd. People borrow them and ... you know the rest. Musically great, sonically excellent, I still listen to it often today. Brilliantly walks the line between accessible and challenging listening.

Found on records by James Brown, George Clinton, and many others Michael and Randy are living proof that there are middle aged, white funksters amongst us. Why are you making us wait so long for your next release?

track four and five are simply amazing; m. brecker is a prophet