On four of the album's five tracks, Pukwana is joined by trumpeter Mongezi Feza, guitarist Lucky Ranko, keyboardist Frank Roberts, double bassist Ernest Mothle, and drummers James Meine and Louis Moholo.

On the remaining track, he is accompanied by saxophonist Elton Dean, trumpeter Feza, trombonist Nick Evans, guitarist Ranko, pianist Keith Tippett, double bassist Victor Ntoni, and drummer Moholo.

[1] In a review for AllMusic, Brian Olewnick wrote: "Diamond Express may be something of a mixed bag and may never quite reach the ecstatic extremes of In the Townships, but overall it's a fine date and a good chance to hear what this late, great musician was capable of."

He singled out "Tete and Barbs In My Mind" for praise, stating that it "combines spirited free playing with a lovely, dirge-like theme and is representative of the sort of music played at the time when the South African expatriates and British avant-jazzers joined forces.

"[1] A writer for Billboard commented: "One side features highly rhythmic jazz stripped of all harshness that is quite catchy, and perfectly paced.