Andy Kellman of
AllMusic noted: "Neither 1977's Just Family nor 1979's Bad for Me can be considered Dee Dee Bridgewater's best work, but fans of mature, mid- to late-'70s R&B should find them moderately appealing. Though Bridgewater would not really hit her stride until her return to jazz in the '90s, she was more than competent when it came to fitting in with the likes of
Phyllis Hyman,
Patrice Rushen,
Minnie Riperton, and
Patti Austin."