Writing for Allmusic, Scott Yanow praised the album, saying it was "arguably Sonny Rollins' best recording of the past decade, and is a highly recommended set", and that "[w]hile many of his detractors feel that his studio recordings since the 1970s have not had the excitement of his live concerts, they should find much to enjoy on this passionate if not flawless set". He concluded that "[h]is playing sounds a bit like a purging of bad memories, while at the same time seeming hopeful about the future."
