Shorter commented on his experiences at the concert: "With the mixture of people — male and female, varying ethnicities and backgrounds — sometimes we did things that sound larger than the four of us, with more of an orchestral approach.

"[5] Larry Applebaum of JazzTimes stated, "A remarkably adventurous performance, it’s finally being released as a double-LP vinyl set with a fascinating bonus track.

"[9] Thom Jurek of AllMusic wrote, "Live at the Detroit Jazz Festival is a compelling exercise in kinetic, deeply emotional music making (mostly) in the moment .

"[1] Stuart Nicholson of Jazzwise commented, "The quartet feel their way into the music and – to use a term Esperanza Spalding uses in the liner notes – they are ‘building the plane while flying it’.

"[2] Steve Futterman of The New Yorker commented, "Shorter exhibits his instantly unmistakable sonic identity throughout a performance marked by intensity and uncommon musical empathy.