On the album, Weston and Liston are joined by saxophonists Talib Kibwe, Teddy Edwards, and Hamiet Bluiett, trumpeter Wallace Roney, trombonist Benny Powell, guitarist Ted Dunbar, double bassist Jamil Nasser, drummer Charlie Persip, and percussionists Obo Addy and Neil Clarke.

[1][2] In a review for AllMusic, Ron Wynn wrote: "Liston's arrangements required disciplined solos, and Weston's steady hand generated impressive cohesion and interaction during the unison segments.

"[7] Reuben Jackson of The Washington Post commented: "Although a good deal has been written about the influence of the blues on jazz, few musicians associated with either genre have explored the countless rhythmic, melodic and textural possibilities inherent in the former as fearlessly and successfully as pianist Randy Weston."

He praised the rendition of "Harvard Blues", in which Copeland's "alternatively seductive and grainy voice describes the difficulty of juggling scholarship and romance, sentiments echoed by the cooing solo of trombonist Benny Powell.

"[8] The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings acknowledged the presence of "a firm hand in the arranging department," and wrote: "Liston takes control, rightly gaining a joint authorship credit...