On the album, Taylor is joined by saxophonists Abraham Burton and Willie Williams, pianist Marc Cary, and double bassist Tyler Mitchell.

[1][2][3] In an article for The New York Times, Peter Watrous wrote: "One of the best groups in jazz, led by one of the jazz's best drummers and arrangers, has produced an explosive and intelligent piece of work.

"[6] Scott Yanow of AllMusic noted that Taylor "re-emerged as an important bandleader with this Enja CD," and stated: "On a variety of tunes from the 1950s and '60s... the musicians play some high-quality modern hard bop.

"[1] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings commented: "With the demise of Art Blakey, Taylor's Wailers look set to be one of the principal training grounds for younger players... his own playing has never sounded more upfront and committed... Williams and Abrahams... are big, burly players and, though Taylor still has an aristocrat's touch, he kicks the group along with real gusto, even if the music is formulaic.

"[5] The editors of MusicHound Jazz awarded the album a full five stars, and reviewer Chris Hovan remarked: "Walter Bolden's choice compositions and a fiery band... all help make this Taylor's greatest record of his career.