As planned by Keepnews, Moon Beams contains a collection of ballads recorded during this period, whereas the more up-tempo tunes were put on the album How My Heart Sings!, which wasn't released until 1964.

Writing for AllMusic, music critic Thom Jurek said that the "selections are so well paced and sequenced the record feels like a dream.

"[6] Peter Pettinger writes that the album "contained some of the group's most introspective playing, including half a dozen standards epitomizing the Bill Evans ballad conception, each one the equivalent of a classical masterpiece.

The melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic choices he makes for solos and accompaniment are similar to those heard from many other top bass players at the time, from Oscar Pettiford to Paul Chambers.

The working practice established on Moonbeams would remain in place while Israels was with the group, giving it a very tight, disciplined character and style.