Is Directions a good place to start with Miles Davis?

Yes, Directions is recommended as a starting point for new Miles Davis listeners. A fusion of intricate melodies and improvisational freedom, blending jazz traditions with avant-garde experimentation. Released in 1981, Directions was Miles Davis's first album after a five-year hiatus from recording. At this point in his career, he had transitioned through various jazz styles and was exploring new sonic landscapes, showcasing his willingness to innovate and adapt.

Who is Directions for?

Directions works well if you're into spacious explorations of sound, patient unfolding of themes and immersive late-night journeys.

How many songs are on Directions?

Directions has 12 tracks, running approximately 95 minutes.

Directions

Miles Davis · 1981

95 min · 12 tracks · jazz

A fusion of intricate melodies and improvisational freedom, blending jazz traditions with avant-garde experimentation.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Song of Our Country Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
→
’Round Midnight — This classic track features lush harmonies and contemplative solos, embodying Davis's ability to reinterpret standards with fresh emotional depth.
→
Fun — The playful rhythms and engaging improvisations on this track showcase the lighter side of Davis's artistry, revealing his versatility even in more relaxed compositions.
→
Ascent — With its expansive structure and ethereal soundscapes, this track exemplifies the avant-garde direction Davis was pursuing, highlighting his exploration of new musical territories.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and skilled performances, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended musical exploration.
Tracks like 'Directions I' and 'Directions II' are structured as two-part pieces, creating a thematic continuity across the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

spacious explorations of sound
patient unfolding of themes
immersive late-night journeys
intricate melodic conversations
dynamic improvisation with depth

Maybe skip if you

seeking quick, catchy tunes
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Represents a departure into jazz fusion, distinct from earlier styles.
Themes: spacious improvisation· jazz fusion evolution· meditative soundscapes
Career context: Released in 1981, Directions was Miles Davis's first album after a five-year hiatus from recording. At this point in his career, he had transitioned through various jazz styles and was exploring new sonic landscapes, showcasing his willingness to innovate and adapt.
Stylistic neighbors: John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter