Entertainment Weekly (4/12/91) - "..a gentle album dominated by sparse arrangements, mostly just piano, bass and drums, which reflect Adam's gospel roots. Her voice can soar with intensity, hanging onto notes for dear life, or sudddenly drop into hushed intimacy...Adams' voice roams freely, imbuing the collection with depth and warmth." - Rating: A-|

Rovi

At the time of the release of her debut, Circle of One, Oleta Adams was best-known as the impassioned backing vocalist on Tears for Fears' 1989 album The Seeds of Love; most prominently featured on "Woman in Chains". About a decade later, she was best-known for "Get Here": a gospel-tinged belter later revived by one Justin Guarini as his showpiece on the 2002 phenomenon American Idol. This, of course, proves that even small hits have an unexpected shelf life, and anybody who decides to go back to Adams' debut may not find anything quite as good -- though the other single, "Rhythm of Life," comes close -- it's nevertheless a high-class, quality, contemporary R&B record that perhaps sounds a little bit too much like its year. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine|

Rovi