[1][2] In a review for AllMusic, Brandon Burke wrote: "Way Ahead is a highly overlooked and absolutely stunning free jazz session.

Whereas many of the others in this series... tend to be star-studded anything-goes blowing sessions, Way Ahead is a quartet date and thus, even at its most fevered moments, only sounds like four musicians letting loose as opposed to, say, twelve.

"[3] The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings called the album "a worthwhile historical item," and commented: "Somewhat different in cast to the majority of free-jazz free-for-alls of the time, Coursil's small group takes an almost deliberate line on some of the material, and provides a stunning reading of Bill Dixon's 'Paper'.

"[4] Carman Moore, writing for The New York Times, stated: "some of the cuts are primitive in terms of New Thing 1970, although... 'Fidel' is moving and features a lovely passage of catch-and-hide imitations between Coursil and tenor saxophonist Arthur Jones, soaring and gathering light.

The feature of the record, however, is Coursil himself, a brilliant improviser possessing speed and coloristic imagination and the ability to play high notes up to a whistle.