the record is the band's first that predominantly uses electric bass and incorporates liberal uses of funk, r&b grooves, and rock that would later be hallmarked as the band's "signature" sound. also, the more restricted compositional format became evident on this album, replacing the more "open improvisation" formats used on the first three albums. it was voted as the album of the year by the readers of "down beat" for 1974, garnering weather report's second overall win in that category, also garnering a five-star review from that publication along the way.