Six tracks were recorded in Switzerland in 1998, and feature Ware on saxophone, Matthew Shipp on piano, William Parker on bass, and Susie Ibarra on drums.

"[1] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album a full 4 stars, and stated: "The title can be read two ways, as a straightforward description of these live dates..., but also as injunction not to overlook the near-at-hand.

His compositions seem designed from the outset to match the strengths of his bandmates, who treat the canvas of sound as something to stretch, warp, and remold in the spirit of the moment, capturing an organic, ephemeral glow."

"[6] Writing for PopMatters, John Kenyon stated: "these live reinterpretations of Ware's own compositions show the evolving creativity of his side players, while at the same time testifying to the skillful hand of their creator.

called Ware "one of the most powerful and compelling saxophone voices of modern jazz," and remarked: "His sound has the 'air' of Sonny Rollins right alongside the spiritual howl of an Albert Ayler or even the great John Coltrane.