Booth notebook

Session notes from the booth.

The lineup logic, the song notes, and the things I want you to hear, saved one session at a time.

Stored notes
120
Artists
18
Genres
18
Special turns
5
5 saved turns
Lineup logic first. Song notes right behind it.
Soulful / loose magnetismPlaylist noteApr 20, 202612:06 PM

Walkin' is setting the midday temperature on the dial.

Walkin' by Miles Davis off At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) (1965) is coming through with a slow-burn glide, a soulful / loose magnetism lean, and a touch of loose magnetism. Cheap Thrills is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Walkin'
Miles Davis
At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) · 1965 · Jazz
Lineup note
Walkin' into Cheap Thrills

Walkin' by Miles Davis off At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) (1965) belongs here because Cheap Thrills by Sia and Final Straw by R.E.M. provide a sharp two-step that extends the feeling of David Bowie's I’d Rather Be High without sounding automatic.. Cheap Thrills is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) · 1965

Walkin' comes through with a slow-burn glide and jazz around the edges, giving the sequence a 1960s depth instead of a quick disposable hit. The crowd response around Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul suggests listeners are leaning toward texture and detail, not just impact.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how Cheap Thrills answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the jazz grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

Miles DavisSiaR.E.M.JazzPop, RockRocksoulful / loose magnetismmiddayloose magnetismJazz
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Walkin'
Miles Davis
Why it fits

Walkin' by Miles Davis lands here because Cheap Thrills by Sia and Final Straw by R.E.M. provide a sharp two-step that extends the feeling of David Bowie's I’d Rather Be High without sounding automatic.. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Cheap Thrills can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) (1965), Walkin' shows Miles Davis working in a 1960s pocket with jazz in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the jazz texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Cheap Thrills to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
Cheap Thrills
Sia
Why it fits

Cheap Thrills answers Walkin' by Miles Davis with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The pop, rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Final Straw can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On This Is Acting (2016), Cheap Thrills shows Sia working in a 2010s pocket with pop, rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the pop, rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Walkin' without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Final Straw to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Final Straw
R.E.M.
Why it fits

Final Straw answers Cheap Thrills by Sia with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Around The Sun (2004), Final Straw shows R.E.M. working in a 2000s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Cheap Thrills without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up Cheap Thrills by Sia off This Is Acting (2016). It hit in 2016, it comes off This Is Acting, Pop, Rock on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. Cheap Thrills by Sia and Final Straw by R.E.M. provide a sharp two-step that extends the feeling of David Bowie's I’d Rather Be High without sounding automatic.

Soulful / sun on concrete glowPlaylist noteApr 20, 20269:37 AMDeep shelf driftdeep cuts

Miles Ahead (Mono Master) is setting the daybreak temperature on the dial.

Miles Ahead (Mono Master) by Miles Davis & Gil Evans off 1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD4) (2011) is coming through with a slow-burn glide, a soulful / sun-on-concrete glow lean, and a touch of sun-on-concrete glow. Aftermath is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Miles Ahead (Mono Master)
Miles Davis & Gil Evans
1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD4) · 2011 · Jazz
Programming
Deep shelf drift

The album tracks and side doors, not the obvious front window.

Lineup note
Deep shelf drift

Miles Ahead (Mono Master) by Miles Davis & Gil Evans off 1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD4) (2011) belongs here because Aftermath by R.E.M. keeps the emotional pressure steady after Piano Sonata No.1 in F Minor Op.2 - II. Adagio by Mari Kodama and changes the palette without cutting the thread.. Aftermath is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD4) · 2011

Miles Ahead (Mono Master) comes through with a slow-burn glide and jazz around the edges, giving the sequence a 2010s depth instead of a quick disposable hit. The crowd response around Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul suggests listeners are leaning toward texture and detail, not just impact.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how Aftermath answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the jazz grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

Miles Davis & Gil EvansR.E.M.SoundgardenJazzRockPop, Rocksoulful / sun-on-concrete glowdaybreaksun-on-concrete glowJazz
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Miles Ahead (Mono Master)
Miles Davis & Gil Evans
Why it fits

Miles Ahead (Mono Master) by Miles Davis & Gil Evans lands here because Aftermath by R.E.M. keeps the emotional pressure steady after Piano Sonata No.1 in F Minor Op.2 - II. Adagio by Mari Kodama and changes the palette without cutting the thread.. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Aftermath can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On 1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD4) (2011), Miles Ahead (Mono Master) shows Miles Davis & Gil Evans working in a 2010s pocket with jazz in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it. Inside Deep shelf drift, it reads as curation rather than stunt programming.

Listen for

Listen for the jazz texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Aftermath to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
Aftermath
R.E.M.
Why it fits

Aftermath keeps deep shelf drift honest by sounding like a real choice inside that lane, not a decorative gesture. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Black Hole Sun (Album Version) can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Around The Sun (2004), Aftermath shows R.E.M. working in a 2000s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it. Inside Deep shelf drift, it reads as curation rather than stunt programming.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Miles Ahead (Mono Master) without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Black Hole Sun (Album Version) to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Black Hole Sun (Album Version)
Soundgarden
Why it fits

Black Hole Sun (Album Version) keeps deep shelf drift honest by sounding like a real choice inside that lane, not a decorative gesture. The pop, rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Telephantasm (2010), Black Hole Sun (Album Version) shows Soundgarden working in a 2010s pocket with pop, rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it. Inside Deep shelf drift, it reads as curation rather than stunt programming.

Listen for

Listen for the pop, rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Aftermath without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up Aftermath by R.E.M. off Around The Sun (2004). It hit in 2004, it comes off Around The Sun, Rock on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. Deep shelf drift is opening up. Aftermath by R.E.M. keeps the emotional pressure steady after Piano Sonata No.1 in F Minor Op.2 - II. Adagio by Mari Kodama and changes the palette without cutting the thread.

Soulful / fresh currentPlaylist noteApr 20, 20268:37 AM

I'll Take The Rain is setting the daybreak temperature on the dial.

I'll Take The Rain by R.E.M. off Reveal (2001) is coming through with a slow-burn glide, a soulful / fresh current lean, and a touch of fresh current. Bastards Of Light is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
I'll Take The Rain
R.E.M.
Reveal · 2001 · Rock
Lineup note
I'll Take The Rain into Bastards Of Light

I'll Take The Rain by R.E.M. off Reveal (2001) belongs here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after Finale by Daft Punk and turns the color from 10s into 2020s.. Bastards Of Light is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
Reveal · 2001

I'll Take The Rain comes through with a slow-burn glide and rock around the edges, giving the sequence a 2000s depth instead of a quick disposable hit. The crowd response around Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul suggests listeners are leaning toward texture and detail, not just impact.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how Bastards Of Light answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the rock grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

R.E.M.Red Hot Chili PeppersFrank SinatraRockAlternative-RockJazzsoulful / fresh currentdaybreakfresh currentRock
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
I'll Take The Rain
R.E.M.
Why it fits

I'll Take The Rain by R.E.M. lands here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after Finale by Daft Punk and turns the color from 10s into 2020s.. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Bastards Of Light can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Reveal (2001), I'll Take The Rain shows R.E.M. working in a 2000s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Bastards Of Light to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
Bastards Of Light
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Why it fits

Bastards Of Light answers I'll Take The Rain by R.E.M. with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The alternative-rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. I'm Beginning To See The Light can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Unlimited Love (2022), Bastards Of Light shows Red Hot Chili Peppers working in a 2020s pocket with alternative-rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the alternative-rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers I'll Take The Rain without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for I'm Beginning To See The Light to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
I'm Beginning To See The Light
Frank Sinatra
Why it fits

I'm Beginning To See The Light answers Bastards Of Light by Red Hot Chili Peppers with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Sinatra And Swingin' Brass (2014), I'm Beginning To See The Light shows Frank Sinatra working in a 2010s pocket with jazz in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the jazz texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Bastards Of Light without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

And now, let's dive into the heart of daybreak with 'Bastards Of Light' by Red Hot Chili Peppers. It's time to turn up the energy a bit and keep things fresh and alive.

Soulful / hushed gravityPlaylist noteApr 20, 20262:19 AM

White Blur 2 is setting the deep night temperature on the dial.

White Blur 2 by Aphex Twin off Disc 2 - Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994) is coming through with a slow-burn glide, a soulful / hushed gravity lean, and a touch of hushed gravity. Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
White Blur 2
Aphex Twin
Disc 2 - Selected Ambient Works Volume II · 1994 · electronic, ambient, experimental
Lineup note
White Blur 2 into Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight)

White Blur 2 by Aphex Twin off Disc 2 - Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994) belongs here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis and turns the color from 2020s into 1990s.. Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
Disc 2 - Selected Ambient Works Volume II · 1994

White Blur 2 comes through with a slow-burn glide and electronic, ambient, experimental around the edges, giving the sequence a 1990s depth instead of a quick disposable hit. The crowd response around Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul suggests listeners are leaning toward texture and detail, not just impact.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the electronic, ambient, experimental grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

Aphex TwinMiles DavisR.E.M.electronic, ambient, experimentalJazzRocksoulful / hushed gravitydeep nighthushed gravityelectronic, ambient, experimental
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
White Blur 2
Aphex Twin
Why it fits

White Blur 2 by Aphex Twin lands here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis and turns the color from 2020s into 1990s.. The electronic, ambient, experimental edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Disc 2 - Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994), White Blur 2 shows Aphex Twin working in a 1990s pocket with electronic, ambient, experimental in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the electronic, ambient, experimental texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight)
Miles Davis
Why it fits

Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) answers White Blur 2 by Aphex Twin with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Star Me Kitten can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024), Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) shows Miles Davis working in a 2020s pocket with jazz in the grain. The cut moves with a candlelit drift, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the jazz texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers White Blur 2 without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Star Me Kitten to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Star Me Kitten
R.E.M.
Why it fits

Star Me Kitten answers Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Automatic For The People (1992), Star Me Kitten shows R.E.M. working in a 1990s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Dear Old Stockholm (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

And now, let's take a gentle turn into the past with R.E.M.'s 'Star Me Kitten'. It's a perfect way to bridge the night and keep that hushed gravity feeling.

Soulful / low lit driftPlaylist noteApr 20, 20261:09 AM

Mr Rassy is listening for the seam in the signal.

The dial is still sketching the shape of the next move.

Record in focus
The Dream
Miles Davis
1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD2) · 2011 · Jazz · 4 min
Lineup note
Why this turn is in the room

Mr Rassy is still feeling for the seam that will hold the next turn together.

Track context
Unknown Artist in the grain

The shelf logic is already starting to show through, even before the deeper note lands.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how The Dream answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in the arrangement hinge where the track suddenly feels bigger than the speakers.

Miles DavisR.E.M.JazzRocksoulful / low-lit driftdeep nightlow-lit driftnext: Miles Davis
Session map
2 stored song notes
01next
The Dream
Miles Davis
Why it fits

The Dream by Miles Davis lands here because it keeps the soulful / low-lit drift pull alive without sanding off the grain that makes this hour interesting. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Orange Crush can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On 1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD2) (2011), The Dream shows Miles Davis working in a 2010s pocket with jazz in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the jazz texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Orange Crush to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02later
Orange Crush
R.E.M.
Why it fits

Orange Crush answers The Dream by Miles Davis with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Green (2013), Orange Crush shows R.E.M. working in a 2010s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers The Dream without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up The Dream by Miles Davis off 1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD2) (2011). It hit in 2011, it comes off 1986-1991: The Warner Years (CD2), Jazz on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive.