The Allmusic review by Brian Olewnick states: "The Essence Of... contained George Russell's first large-scale work to incorporate electronic elements from contemporary classical music as well as an emerging influence of modern rock. "Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature" is a massive work... the composition progresses from theme to theme, many of them propulsive and groove-oriented, serving as platforms for improvisations from the featured players... "Now and Then," recorded a couple of years prior to the other pieces, is more along the lines of Russell's previous work, especially as heard on his At Beethoven Hall recording: good, rambunctious big band jazz. On the whole, highly recommended".[5]
- All compositions by George Russell
- "Electric Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature - Part I" - 19:45
- "Electric Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature - Part II" - 19:51
- "Electric Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature - Part III" - 20:53
- "Concerto For Self-Accompanied Guitar" - 9:25
- "Now and Then" - 14:07
- Recorded in Stockholm, Sweden 1966 & 1967.
- George Russell - piano, conductor
- Jan Garbarek - tenor saxophone
- Jon Christensen - drums
- Jan Allan, Maffy Falay, Bertil Lövgren - trumpet
- Erik Nilsson - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, flute
- Rune Gustafsson - guitar
- Stanton Davis - trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks 1-3)
- Terje Rypdal - electric guitar (tracks 1-3)
- Arild Andersen - bass (tracks 1-3)
- Lars Samuelsson - trumpet (tracks 1-3)
- Arne Domnerus - alto saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-3)
- Claes Rosendahl - tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute (tracks 1-3)
- Lennart Åberg - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute (tracks 1-3)
- Olle Lind - bass trombone (tracks 1-3)
- Berndt Egerbladh - vibraphone, xylophone (tracks 1-3)
- Bengt Hallberg - piano (tracks 1-3)
- Georg Riedel - bass (tracks 1-3)
- Egil Johansen - drums (tracks 1-3)
- Sabu Martinez - congas (tracks 1-3)
- Georg Vernon, Gunnar Medberg - trombone (track 4)
- Runo Ericksson - bass trombone (track 4)
- Christer Boustedt, Claes Rosendahl - alto saxophone (track 4)
- Bernt Rosengren - tenor saxophone (track 4)
- Roman Dylag - bass (track 4)
- Rupert Clemendore - congas (track 4)