Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "No one can kick like Chaka—and she does it with such astonishing ease. She shines like the diva she is on one of the five new songs on Epiphany: The Best Of Chaka Khan. Produced by David Gamson, the track cruises at a breezy classic funk pace, giving Miss Thing plenty of room to work her voice to maximum effect. She is bolstered by a guest rap from Me'Shell Ndegéocello, whose chatting between verses adds street spice. The original version sparkles with multiformat hit potential, while Frankie Knuckles comes to the party with a rousing house remix that will have Khan's legion of club disciples twirling with delight."[1]
British magazine Music Week complimented "Never Miss the Water" as a "strong" track.[4] Ralph Tee from the magazine's RM wrote, "It's not an 'I'm Every Woman' or 'Ain't Nobody', but vocally Chaka still puts virtually every one else to shame."[5]
