In a review for
DownBeat, James Hale wrote: "The bass-free configuration works well, with Carrington's particularly resonant bass drum filling the role usually played by a string instrument." In a separate NYT article, Chinen commented: "Stout in its purpose, ringing with expedition, it's a statement of tribute to the avant-garde hero Ornette Coleman, but also a straightforward celebration of the bonds between these players." Michael J. West of
Jazz Times remarked: "As great as saxophonist David Murray, pianist Geri Allen and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington are separately, it’s truly difficult to remember the last time any of them sounded as good as they all do together on
Perfection. The members of the jazz 'power trio' share a chemistry that gives their music remarkable strength."
The Guardian's
John Fordham praised the title track, stating that "Carrington and Moffett perfectly catch the airborne groove of a classic Coleman rhythm section." Writing for
Stereophile, Fred Kaplan commented: "This is very much an equilateral triangle of musicians... and each brings distinctive flavors to the mix... I saw this trio play at New York's Winter Jazz Festival in 2015 and have hoped ever since that they'd make an album that lived up to the excitement of that concert. This one does." Patrick Hadfield of
London Jazz News praised the album's "consistent tone, centred on the excellence of the trio," and stated: "
Perfection might not be perfect, but it is hard to fault." Chris Baber of
Jazz Views wrote that the album "doesn't disappoint," and noted: "we have three musicians at the peak of their talents, stretching their playing in the open structure of the bass-less trio... Each piece is developed with post-bop experimentalism but always with tremendous poise and balance in their playing."
The Denver Post's Bret Saunders stated that
Perfection "is everything superior jazz should be: exciting, heartfelt, inventive... this is one release whose title is not hyperbole." ==Track listing==