In a review for
AllMusic, Thom Jurek wrote: "these four tracks certainly walk on the outside edge of jazz and more than flirt with plenty of free playing. That said, there is also great structure to the music found here, inspired arrangements that allow a maximum of freedom without an ounce of self-indulgence... This session, with excellent sound and presence, is a glorious addition to the continually expanding McGregor canon."
AAJ's Andrey Henkin noted that, in relation to the music on
Very Urgent, "McGregor's irrepressible spirit is becoming more obvious with brasher arranging and more open forms that owe a debt to the European avant-garde." Writing for
The Jazz Mann, Tim Owen stated that the album "stands up well alongside acknowledged classics of the genre," and likened the horn arrangements on "Years Ago Now" to "big band swing, albeit with all-out free expression." Paul Rigby of
Record Collector called the album "magnificent" and "blissful," and stated: "there are no holds barred here, the arrangements roaming the savannah of McGregor's mind. It's not chaotic, as some free jazz can be, because McGregor calls the shots, while the rest of the musicians play with one eye on their leader's cues." ==Track listing==