[1][2][3][4][5][6] The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek states "Of Fly's three recordings to date, Year of the Snake is the most unusual and beguiling; it unhinges preconceived notions about the saxophone trio with complete freedom minus the chaos of disorder.

"[7] All About Jazz reviewer John Kelman said, "what Year of the Snake demonstrates with crystal clarity is that each player's language, command and sophistication continue to evolve as the result of their efforts; but it's only as Fly that they can truly exercise everything they've honed with complete and utter freedom.

"[8] The Guardian's John Fordham awarded the album 4 stars noting "the New York trio Fly is an exchange between equals, not a sax-led charge over a rhythm section.

Though it falls into the territory sometimes dubbed "chamber-jazz", Year of the Snake is up there with Fly's best work, with its rustling fast grooves and languid horn lines, and pieces that open on almost impossibly pure high-register long tones.

"[9] In JazzTimes, Thomas Conrad observed that "Fly plays cerebral, rapt, interactive chamber jazz, deriving a wide range of textures and colors from three instruments.