In his review for AllMusic, David R. Adler states "Both Davis and DeJohnette are credited on synthesizer, but the sounds they employ are remarkably close to the old-fashioned, analog Wurlitzer. Combined with Favors' resonant, grooving basslines and DeJohnette's loose straight-eighth rhythms the result is somewhat akin to Miles Davis in the In a Silent Way period."[3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz describes the album as "A surprisingly straight-ahead jazz record, strongly influenced by electric-period Miles Davis."[4]
The All About Jazz review by Dan McClenaghan says "Smith's horn work is very Miles-like, the wounded, open horn cry, the plaintive and introspective mute work, the judicious use of silence."[6]
In his review for JazzTimes Duck Baker notes that "Even though '70s Miles is a frequent departure point for The Year of the Elephant, jazz-rock fans may not feel comfortable with the music while listeners who usually have trouble with rock-type rhythms may be amazed to hear them used in such a creative context."[7]
Track listing
All compositions by Wadada Leo Smith
"Al-Madinah" - 10:01
"Piru" - 10:51
"The Zamzam Well a Stream of a Pure Light" - 8:56
"Kangaroo's Hollow" - 7:06
"The Year of the Elephant" - 9:19
"Miles Star in 3 Parts: Star/Seed/Blue Fire" - 14:17