"[1] Jeff Stockton of All About Jazz called the album "marvelous," and described Ebonic Tones as "a supergroup, like when Eric Clapton played with Stevie Winwood in Blind Faith."

"[4] Writing for JazzTimes, Chris Kelsey commented: "Abdullah... is a wonderfully lyrical, spirited improviser and gifted arranger.

Remindful of pianist Abdullah Ibrahim's various small groups, this band exudes an authentically joyful intelligence.

"[6] JazzWord's Ken Waxman praised Abdullah's composition "The Cave," stating that some of the voicings are "reminiscent of the low-flame tone poems saxophonist [Gigi] Gyrce used to write for himself and trumpeter Art Farmer.

Earthier than Gryce, the baritonist creates a guttural, raspy tremolo solo... while the trumpeter's double-tongued, chromatic flourishes take nothing from Farmer.