"[6] In a review for AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos called Volume 1 "a rock-solid recording from beginning to end" and "a crown jewel in Ali's small discography," noting that "all of those interested in modern mainstream jazz should pay close attention to it.

"[1] Regarding Volume 2, he remarked: "Ali's quintet accounts well for itself as a fully realized modern and progressive jazz ensemble that should be known for its excellence and high-level musicianship.

"[2] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote: "Ali still commands centre stage much of the time, but this is very much a working unit with what sounds like a healthily collective philosophy and approach.

"[7] Dusted Magazine's Marc Medwin stated: "The quintet, diverse in age and background, manages to sound unified without any player losing individuality...

"[6] Writing for Jazzwise, Kevin Le Gendre called Volume 2 "a rip-roaringly hard-swinging album that has the kind of tricky gymnastic heads and charged solos that Blakey's most aggressive line-ups all juggled so well," and stated that it is "proof positive that Ali... is a complete musician, one who shows that mainstream vocabulary is not beyond the reach of a master of the avant-garde.