[5] In a review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow wrote: "In general, the music on this Sackville release is quite spontaneous and exploratory, but Anderson's playing sometimes hints strongly at earlier styles.

"[1] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings stated that "it's nice to be reminded of... how arresting a player Altschul could be in this company.

There is a lovely version of the ballad 'Irina'... and there are a few moments which point back to classic jazz, whether as a result of the trombonist's influence or Altschul's own explorations isn't clear.

"[8] Jazz Word's Ken Waxman called the album "historically important and musically impressive," and wrote: "swinging elements are... mixed with the risk-taking solos.

Altschul's solo on the 17-minute title track may hit a groove, but his bulls-eye beat is amplified with timbre scrambles using mallets and sticks, ratamacues and drags on toms and snares, plus numerous interjections that bring in cymbal shaking, bell-tree resonation, waterphone scrapes, cow bell thwacks and shrills from slide whistles.