[3] Carter, who predominantly worked with young musicians at this stage of her career, was accompanied by an established trio of pianist Geri Allen, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

[1] Gioffre praised Carter's accompanists, describing Dave Holland's "...unerring sense of melody and pitch", Jack DeJohnette as "...nothing less than explosive, punctuating the solo statements of his bandmates with powerful flurries", and likened Geri Allen to fellow pianist Keith Jarrett, praising her solo on "Love Notes".

[1] Gioffre's wrote that Carter's "...vocal improvisations are on par with any instrumentalists," and described her "...dancing around the music with impeccable phrasing, dropping low into her register for punctuation" on "Lover Man" as "...heady, hypnotizing stuff.

"[10] The Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich stated that the album "captures the singer at her best," and noted that the band members "provide the atmospheric accompaniment, sensitively responding to Carter's mercurial improvisations.

He commented: "there's nothing quite like hearing her go at it with the master vocalist... Allen stays almost completely inside as she works with Carter; even so, it's an open question who's leading who... the energy is electric and the swing... is top-notch.