[1][2] The album cover artwork is by abstract painter Josef Albers.

Provocative Percussion debuted on the Billboard magazine pop album chart on September 19, 1960, peaked at the No.

4 spot, and remained on the chart for 31 weeks.

[3] AllMusic gave the album a rating of three stars.

Reviewer Eugene Chadbourne called Light "a heavyweight when it comes to big-band charts.