Abrams dedicated the title track on the album to Muddy Waters.

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow calls the album "One of pianist/composer Muhal Richard Abrams' strongest big-band dates...

The music occasionally glances back at the past but mostly looks forward in its own unique way.

[3] The music writer Tom Moon includes Blu Blu Blu in his book 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die, commenting that the album succeeds in creating "unpredictable music distinguished by a bustling big-city exuberance.

"[4] The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 4 stars calling it "Abram's best album for some time... this is among one of the most important contemporary big band records".