[1][2][3][4] In a review for AllMusic, Steve Loewy stated that the album "find[s] both of these marvelous musicians in fine form, the energy level rarely abating," and wrote: "Unobtrusive, yet continuously creative, Oxley is the Max Roach of free jazz.

"[1] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album a full 4 stars, calling it "a fine record," and commenting: "The titles are drawn from the names of poisonous plants, and there is a sharp and sometimes toxic edge to these improvisations... Oxley is the dominant presence almost throughout... simply because what he plays is more immediately compelling.

"[6] Bill Shoemaker of JazzTimes described the album as "a timely reminder of Schlippenbach's many achievements and how... [he] continues to create compelling music."

"[7] Author Todd S. Jenkins noted: "The more European seasoning of Oxley's percussing, moderated by an abstruse understanding of the jazz continuum, pays off in pulling deeper jazziness out of the pianist.

The series of shorter improvs in various tints of blue and red grants us the second wind to endure the equally long and stimulating title track.