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DownBeat's reviewer awarded the original release zero stars, refusing to assign a rating because he didn't know what to think of it. In 1999, the single "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs" was given the
Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In a review for
AllMusic,
Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the album as "the place where [Corea] put all the pieces in motion for his long, adventurous career," and wrote: "There's an intellectual rigor balanced by an instinctual hunger that makes for music that's lively and challenging while also containing a patina of comfort... it captures the pianist at the brink: it's kinetic, exciting, and filled with endless possibilities." On a similar note,
The Guardian's
John Fordham included the album in his list of Corea's "10 Greatest Recordings," noting that it "found him at a crossroads, pulled between the swing of the classic acoustic jazz-piano trio and the more free-associative future he would soon briefly explore," and praising his "powerful and intuitive partners," who "follow his every move." Author and drummer
Michael Stephans called the album "a piano trio classic," and commented: "Many musicians and listeners alike believe it to be one of the greatest modern jazz trio records ever made. Corea is in top form, and Haynes and Vitous are responsive, supportive, and daring in their accompaniment and solos." Writer and historian
Loren Schoenberg remarked: "it is refreshing to go back to this... to hear how original his style sounded bounding out of the context of the 1960s... Corea's compositions and free-flowing concept set him apart from the pack even at this early date." The singer
Bilal named it among his 25 favorite albums, explaining: "I think that's just one of the best jazz trio albums ever. Mostly every jazz musician I talk to love that album. It's just a classic." == Track listing ==