"A fascinating debut...Short seems to have learned a great deal from Monk about what might be called 'expressive form', the making of musical 'machines' in which each moving part has both an emotional and a structural meaning...adventurous and personal throughout." - Larry Kart, Chicago Tribune, January 17, 1988

"Recommended listening...a breezy and sometimes electrifying outing."
-- Lloyd Sachs,Chicago Sun-Times, January 21, 1988

"Short is a good bebop player who also favors the so-called 'out' style of playing...the rhythm section cooks mightily...." -- Vince Fumar, Wavelength (New Orleans), June 1988

"...Short is also involved in composition and Penguin Shuffle contains six first-rate examples of that...all very different from each other ...a great set without a dull track."
-- Robert Iannapollo, Cadence, July 1988

"Short's own compositions, which have a Monkish post-bop feel... (reflect) other influences as well, such as the freer blowing of reedman Chuck Burdelik on 'Window of Vulnerability' which showcases Short's hard, polyrhythmic drumming along with his marimba playing... Short's compositional talents are obviously formidable, and this group pulls it all together with class." -- John Baxter, Option, July 1988

"...a truly fresh output of original material...it's just the right mix of taste, musicianship and an exploratory attitude that makes Penguin Shuffle invitingly listenable."
-- Wayne Self, Arts Midwest Jazzletter, Summer 1988

"...it's a progression from the familiar and comforting into the new and strange...It's eclectic, it'll entertain you and you'll discover important things."
-- Mary K. Pettice, Chicago Jazz & Blues News, April 1988

[Rating: Best-of-Genre (First Pick)] "...creative, swinging jazz... free-jazz and modern mainstream drummer. A no-holds-barred type musician."
-- Michael G. Nastos, All-Music Guide (online)