"[1] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings stated that the album "has some splendid music, though it's compromised a little by the dry and thin tone the violinist gets.

"[5] Critic Tom Hull noted that El'Zabar's "everyday-from-everywhere beats form a fascinating backdrop" for Bang, who has "rarely enjoyed so much space, and responds with touching eloquence.

"[6] John Litweiler of JazzTimes remarked: "once you adjust to the unusual instrumentation, the music proves engaging, often charming and clever... Much of this album's variety results from the songs [El'Zabar] composed and from his playing with or against Bang; these two musicians have a pleasing give-and-take.

"[8] AAJ's Derek Taylor commented: "while some of material may seem familiar the stripped down improvisatory setting and the fertile ingenuity of the two men make the session seem fresh.

"[10] In an article for One Final Note, Scott Hreha wrote: "even if the percussionist's penchant for revisiting some of his tried and true compositions dilutes a degree of spontaneity from the disc's overall impact, the stripped-down violin/drums format more than makes up for the lack of surprise in the sheer ingenuity with which Bang and El'Zabar pull it off.