"Commitment" is "a prayer that echoes the words 'thank you God for the gift of life'," while "Face Still Hands Folded" was written for Parker's father, and is part of a ballet titled "Dawn Voice.

"[3] In a review for AllMusic, Steve Loewy wrote: "The sound quality is slightly subpar, but the raw, 1960s feel of this album should appeal to those who appreciate the unassuming brilliance of this giant of the string bass... there is plenty here to satisfy those who enjoy the bassist's style of new music.

"[4] The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings stated: "The smaller groups favour strings and could almost be playing classical pieces.

"[5] Tom Hull awarded the album a grade of "B+", and commented: "These five early pieces... make for a good introduction to where Parker comes from and how he got his shit together.

"[6] Jon Dale, writing for Fact, called the recording "an assured, brilliantly articulated album," and noted "the sheer heft of the musicians that appear on it.