"This set, which consists primarily of songs "originally written and sung by unnamed and undocumented African American mothers, fathers, workers, prisoners, preachers, sons, and daughters" (...) is her "musical libation" to these ancestral spirits. Rule is no "revivalist" purist. Although remaining true to the spirit of her material, she also brings to it her well-honed gifts as a jazz singer, as well as her background in theater; she updates the songs with modern instrumentation ... She has also added new verses and re-crafted some of the original ones to bring the subject matter more starkly into a contemporary context ... This is essential music. Its message is timeless, and Rule's stated mission of cultural and historical reclamation makes it more relevant than ever".