During the same week of recording sessions that produced Quartet, Hancock recorded his 1981 Trio album. Hancock, Carter, and Williams also recorded four tracks with Wynton Marsalis and his brother, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, during this week. The tracks featuring Marsalis as leader were included on the trumpeter's 1982 debut album.
The Penguin Guide to Jazz commented that Hancock's playing standard was not as good as earlier in his career, but concluded that, "Fortunately for the album, Marsalis is feeling his oats, dispatching his solos with testy arrogance, and of course the other two rhythm players are in superb shape."[2] The AllMusic reviewer highlighted Marsalis's contribution, writing that "This is an extremely symbolic album, for Herbie Hancock and the V.S.O.P. rhythm section essentially pass the torch of the '80s acoustic jazz revival to the younger generation, as personified by then 19-year-old Wynton Marsalis."[1]
