[3] They prepared for the session, which was fully improvised, by trading and discussing albums that involve the pairing of saxophone and cello, especially those of Julius Hemphill and Abdul Wadud, who frequently recorded together, often as a duo.

"[3] Signaling's opening track, "Blues for Julius and Abdul," pays explicit homage to Hemphill and Wadud, and sets the tone for the remainder of the album.

[4] Bill Meyer of DownBeat noted: "While the session was improvised, their common intent resulted in music that melds elegant chamber interplay with the emotional impact of down-home blues.

"[4] Stereogum's Phil Freeman stated that Mazzarella and Reid capture the spirit of the Hemphill/Wadud duo on the opening track, "but as the album goes on they reveal that they've got plenty of their own ideas, too," noting that "the combination of saxophone and cello might seem a little minimal on its surface, but there's a lot of depth here.

"[6] Peter Margasak of the Chicago Reader called the album "superb," and commented: "the pair push into... abstract terrain, alternating between measured aggression... and hollowed-out delicateness... On the surface it might appear that Mazzarella is running the game, but Reid's elegant lines and gestures prod more than follow.