Ross Bossineau of AllMusic said "Expatriate Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist Philip Bailey stepped out on his own with Continuation, his first solo recording. Here Bailey got to explore some less-cluttered grooves than in EWF, and he also sang in his natural tenor rather than being limited to his falsetto."[5]Phyl Garland of Stereo Review wrote "'Continuation,' Bailey's debut solo album, is not as consistently excellent as some of his previous collaborations. There is a somewhat lower level of musical imagination in the material he sings here (some of his own compositions). But the album does demonstrate that he is an artist with a singular and highly polished vocal style who is capable of generating considerable heat through his incisive attack, zestful delivery, and firm professionalism. There's not a sloppy note to be heard here".[9] Connie Johnson of the Los Angeles Times found Continuation "contains the kind of brash wit that usually escapes EWF. Bailey, co-lead singer of EW&F, decorates the lyrics with a striking jazz-colored touch."[11] Hugh Wyatt of the New York Daily News stated "The first mistake singer Philip Bailey has made in his first solo album is in using many people associated with Earth, Wind and Fire, the band with whom he has performed as co-lead singer for the last 12 years. Thus, there isn't anything significantly new despite the fact that it's a top-notch recording. Bailey's voice remains one of the most spectacular instruments in contemporary rhythm 'n' blues."[10] Martin Basch of the Boston Globe claimed "This Is the rare R&B dance album where each cut is outstanding. He added "the album will seduce you with its charm and beat."[6] Sharon Davis of Blues & Soul found that "With George Duke producing and vocal support from Sister Sledge, Jeffrey Osborne, and others, the music here is rich and layered; totally immersing itself into emotional experiences delivered by one of soul music's finest voices."[8]
Jerry Hey – trumpet (7, 8), horn arrangements (7, 8)
George Del Barrio – string arrangements and conductor (2, 3, 7)
Gerald Vinci – concertmaster (2, 3, 7)
Bill Hughes – string contractor (2, 3, 7)
Ron Cooper, Ray Kelley, Earl Madison and Fred Seykora – cello (2, 3, 7)
Catherine Gottholfer – harp (2, 3, 7)
Rollice Dale, Pam Goldsmith, Allan Harshman and Dave Schwartz – viola (2, 3, 7)
Murray Adler, Issy Baker, Brenton Banks, Sherrill Baptist, Tom Buffum, Ron Clark, Ron Folsom, Reg Hill, Marv Limonick, Irma Neuman and Bob Sushel – violin (2, 3, 7)
