Allmusic gave it 5 stars, reviewer Bruce Eder saying: "it took Basie's core audience and a lot of other people by surprise, as a bold, forward-looking statement within the context of a big-band recording.

"[2] It is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, Will Fulford-Jones calling it "Basie's last great record.

"[1] It was voted number 411 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000).

The tracks on the original release were all composed and arranged by Hefti.

Part of the second day was used for recording tracks by Jimmy Mundy - "Silks and Satins" and "Sleepwalker's Serenade".