Directions was the last of a series of compilation albums—mostly consisting of, at that time, previously unreleased music—that Columbia released to bridge Davis' recording hiatus that ended with the Man with the Horn in July 1981.

They feature sidemen such as saxophonist Wayne Shorter, guitarist John McLaughlin, and keyboardists Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, and Chick Corea.

[3] Reviewing in AllMusic, critic Scott Yanow believed some of the tracks "rambled on a bit too long" but the music was nonetheless "mostly quite fascinating" and "highly recommendable to collectors with an open ear toward fusion.

(Reissued on the fourth CD of the 1998 box set release Miles Davis Quintet 1965–'68) "Fun", recorded in New York, January 11, 1968.

(Reissued on the fourth CD of the 1998 box set release Miles Davis Quintet 1965–'68) "Directions I & II" and "Ascent", recorded in New York, November 27, 1968.