At the "Golden Circle" Stockholm marks Coleman's first release on Blue Note Records after leaving Atlantic.

It is also Coleman's recorded debut on trumpet and violin, instruments which he took three years teaching himself to play after leaving Atlantic.

The 2002 CD reissue includes previously unreleased bonus tracks in both volumes.

"In Coleman's hands, both instruments are refunctioned into 'sound tools' (...) producers of sounds, rhythms and emotions.

"[6] The Penguin Guide to Jazz listed both volumes as part of its "Core Collection" and gave each a four-star rating (of a possible four stars).