New Directions (The Meters album)

New Directions is the eighth and final studio album by the funk band the Meters, released in 1977. Produced by David Rubinson in California, it is the band's only album recorded outside New Orleans. The album features the Oakland-based Tower of Power horn section.

Reception
John Swenson of Rolling Stone said the album "attempts to consolidate the group's style" and noted an overreliance on arrangement rather than the band's musical instinct.

Stephen Erlewine of AllMusic called the music gritty and a move in the right direction as compared to the band's previous album Trick Bag. Robert Christgau called the album "a very good commercial funk record."

Personnel

 * The Meters
 * Ziggy Modeliste – drums, vocals; lead vocals (track 5)
 * Art Neville – organ, vocals; lead vocals (tracks 2, 6)
 * Cyril Neville – congas, vocals; lead vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4, 7, 8)
 * Leo Nocentelli – guitar, vocals
 * George Porter Jr. – bass, vocals


 * Additional Personnel
 * Emilio Castillo – tenor saxophone
 * Mic Gillette – trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn
 * Stephen "Doc" Kupka – baritone saxophone
 * Lenny Pickett – alto flute, alto and soprano and tenor saxophone
 * Kurt McGettrick – baritone saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 4), bass saxophone (track 2) , clarinet (track 7) , flute (track 7) , horn arrangements
 * Swamp Tabernacle Choir – background vocals


 * Production
 * David Rubinson – producer, engineer
 * Jeffrey Cohen – producer
 * Fred Catero – engineer
 * Chris Minto – engineer
 * Fred Rubinson – engineer
 * Bob Irwin – mastering
 * Bill Naegels – design
 * Rich Russell – design
 * Ron Coro – design
 * Gary Heery – photography
 * Michael P. Smith – photography
 * John Cabalka – art direction
 * Ed Thrasher – art direction, photography
 * Bill Dahl – liner notes