I've been looking at array reshape operators in other languages,
   specifically numpy and Matlab.

numpy, Matlab, and (Py)Torch are the widely used array languages these days.
If you want people to be able to rewrite code from those langauges in Scheme,
or use their exisiting known programming style when using Scheme, you need to
support the kinds of things those languages support. Its crucial for
adoption/uptake.

    Jeff (http://engineering.purdue.edu/~qobi)