Unlike the trio configuration on the first album, this project features a spacier, slightly less abstract form of fusion music.

Laswell invited a number of musicians to contribute, including legendary tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders.

Other contributors included alto saxophonist Byard Lancaster, and electric guitarists Nicky Skopelitis and Buckethead.

In a review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote: "Arc of the Testimony is a freewheeling, unpredictable blend of electronic and acoustic sounds... it finds a common ground between improvisation and post-production studio trickery.

"[1] The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings stated: "As a memorial to Williams, this probably isn't as typical as some of the last albums with acoustic groups, but it serves as a forceful reminder of the immense power he was holding in check even when he was playing straight fours and quiet ballad figures.