Shorter played with Morgan in the front line of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at this time while Kelly, Chambers and Cobb were the widely celebrated rhythm section with Miles Davis.

[3] The album was released in 1960 by Vee-Jay Records, and was also issued later under the title Blues a la Carte.

[7] In a review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow called the music "quite enjoyable," and wrote that the album "shows that, even at this early stage, Shorter was far along toward developing his own sound.

"[8] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz stated that the album gives "the impression of a searching performer who has sufficient lateral vision to keep himself one step ahead of the game.

"[10] Writing for All About Jazz, C. Michael Bailey commented: "This is rarified music that is immediately enjoyable.