[1][2] The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 3 stars stating "This is a revealing if not completely satisfying recording".

And in looking inside the various registers on the title cut, he explores the emotions inherent in timbral modulation without refracting the notes themselves too much.

"[3] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 3½ stars, and commented: "This is the first recorded glimpse of Ayler in full flow.

"[5] All About Jazz stated "The names on the cover look good: Albert Ayler, Henry Grimes, and Sunny Murray.

[6] Val Wilmer wrote that Spirits "contains some of Ayler's most majestic playing and marks his first appearance on record with musicians of his own stature.