[1][2] The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars, stating, "this five-track set offers what is by now an unmistakable sound, with Berne's constantly interweaving scripted melodies, modes, and dialogues seamlessly wedded to group improvisation.

"[3] Writing in The Guardian, John Fordham commented "This fourth Snakeoil album for ECM is one of the most viscerally direct and exciting chapters in a consistently creative story.

"[4] The All About Jazz review by Karl Ackermann said that "Long ago surpassing his mentor Julius Hemphill, Berne has been furthering the late saxophonist's technique and taking his own compositional skills to progressively higher levels.

"[5][6] The JazzTimes review by Lloyd Sachs observed "Among its many rewards, Incidentals documents the growth of the exciting partnership between Berne and Mitchell.

... he relates to the leader through the heady way he embroiders open spaces, enhances the album’s pervasive classical imprint, intensifies the architecture of certain tunes and subtly colors the aural landscape with electronic touches.