In a review for
AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos called the album "a beautiful statement," and wrote: "The music is as the title suggests: spiritual, multi-ethnic, mostly serene, and quite improvisationally derived... Fans of Sanders will be easily able to connect this music with his past glories... Recommended." Chris May of
All About Jazz called the recording "a beautiful album," and commented: "
Spirits is stripped-down astral jazz... but is no less transporting than those of his albums in the style featuring bigger lineups."
AAJ's Derek Taylor remarked: "Throughout all of the tracks Sanders unintentionally answers his critics proving that his sound hasn't mellowed over the years, it's expanded. There is every bit of the fire of his 60s work infused in his sound today; it's simply been enlarged and enhanced by the advent of age."
AAJ writer Mark Corroto stated: "This is the Sanders of
Karma,
Shukuru, and
Welcome to Love. If you have found this recording, treasure it, meditate with it, and somebody please sign Pharoah Sanders to a major label." ==Track listing==