Exploring the Future

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[5]

The Allmusic review by Ken Dryden stated: "Although he lived for another five years after this session, this seems to be bassist Curtis Counce's last date as a leader. His quintet was in fine form playing originals by band member Elmo Hope and tenor saxophonist Harold Land, ... Swedish trumpeter Rolf Ericson, who became better known to jazz fans while with Duke Ellington in the '60s, fits in beautifully with the cool-sounding hard bop style of this tight unit".^[4]

All compositions by Elmo Hope except where noted

1. "So Nice" – 6:42
2. "Angel Eyes" (Matt Dennis, Earl Brent) – 4:03
3. "Into the Orbit" – 4:47
4. "Move" (Denzil Best) – 2:34
5. "Race for Space" – 4:36
6. "Someone to Watch Over Me" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 3:45
7. "Exploring the Future" (Harold Land) – 6:18
8. "The Countdown" – 4:05
9. "Foreplay" (Duke Jordan) – 6:40 Additional track on CD release
10. "Move" [unedited take] (Best) – 4:21
11. "The Countdown" [unedited take] – 5:37

• Curtis Counce - bass
• Rolf Ericson - trumpet
• Harold Land - tenor saxophone
• Elmo Hope - piano
• Frank Butler - drums