JazzTimes praised Weston's "uncanny ability to re-craft, to maintain freshness in melodies and rhythms he has investigated frequently, such as the familiar 'Niger Mambo'."[9]The Washington Post noted that "an Ellingtonian elegance marks the massed horns of the swinging 'Portrait of Cheikh Anta Diop'."[18]The Sydney Morning Herald stated that "the music has a breadth and density of emotion, spirituality, colour and creativity that push it towards masterpiece stature."[17]
The Globe and Mail concluded that "Min's performances aren't quite curios, but they're not a lot more either, one a sweet but inconclusive pipa-piano duet and the other a nonet piece in which she makes only a buzzy cameo appearance."[19] The Los Angeles Times applauded the "particularly effective linkage" of Powell and Pharoah Sanders.[16] The National Post deemed Khepera "a fiendishly clever romp through African rhythms, Chinese melodies and '60s jazz tonalities."[20]
AllMusic called the album "a powerful, even visionary piece of work for any musician," writing that Sanders is "in thrilling form throughout much of the album."[14]
Track listing
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Creation"
2.
"Anu Anu"
3.
"The Shrine"
4.
"The Shang"
5.
"Prayer Blues"
6.
"Boran Xam Xam"
7.
"Portrait of Cheikh Anta Diop"
8.
"Niger Mambo"
9.
"Mystery of Love"
References
^Lien, James (January 1999). "Best New Music". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 65. p. 18.
^Margasak, Peter (April 18, 2002). "Randy Weston". Chicago Reader.