The eight tracks of this album were taped in two recording sessions in which Spann demonstrated his playing skills on both instruments: with flute on the tracks on Dec. 8, with Tootie Heath on drums, and with guitar on Dec. 16, with Louis Hayes on drums.[1][2]
Alex Henderson of Allmusic regrets that this musician did not leave more recordings as a leader and considers that Gemini is "an excellent hard bop date" where "Spann gives 100 percent at both sessions", describing his style here bluesy and expressive as a guitarist but equally impressive when he picks up the flute[2] while Marc Myers, historian and contributing journalist of The Wall Street Journal believes that the album's producer, Orrin Keepnews, had great musical instincts for this recording it in 1960: "Listening to it today, the entire album is superbly constructed by Spann, and the merged sound of guitar, flute and horn is rich, thoughtful and mellifluous".[6]
For Richard Cook and Brian Morton at The Penguin Guide to Jazz "the curious contrast in the leader's guitar and flute styles is used quite effectively, with a smart rhythm section", although they criticize that in the final mix his guitar "sounds thin and hidden a lot of the way".[3]
The album cover is by Riverside Records designer Ken Deardoff and the main image is a black and white photograph by Lawrence N. Shustak,[5][2] showing a smiling Les Spann with a flute and a lit cigarette next to a Guild guitar model Stuart A-500.
