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
4
3 saved turns
Lineup logic first. Song notes right behind it.
Subtle lift / open window liftPlaylist noteApr 30, 20268:25 AMOpen set

The Outsiders is the thesis, and White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 is the answer waiting on deck.

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2 a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in. White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
The Outsiders
R.E.M.
Around The Sun · 2004 · Rock
Programming
Open set

Mr Rassy is shaping the next turn from the records already on the deck.

White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 · clip
Lineup note
The Outsiders into White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2 a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context
Around The Sun · 2004

Hearing it against Around The Sun matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. off Around The Sun (2004) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With R.E.M., the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for
What to catch in the arrangement

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead. Notice how it hands the weight to White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2 instead of crowding the next move.

R.E.M.The Velvet UndergroundLynyrd SkynyrdRockSouthern RockPsychedelic Rocksubtle lift / open-window liftdaybreakopen-window liftRock
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
The Outsiders
R.E.M.
Why it fits

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2 a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context

Hearing it against Around The Sun matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. off Around The Sun (2004) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With R.E.M., the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead. Notice how it hands the weight to White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2 instead of crowding the next move.

02next
White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2
The Velvet Underground
Excerpted play
Why it fits

White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2 stays related to The Outsiders by R.E.M. off Around The Sun (2004) through rock, but changes the pocket enough to matter. Reach for it when the sequence needs a record that can keep moving and still leave detail behind. It leaves Call Me The Breeze by Lynyrd Skynyrd off The Definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd Collection (2) (1991) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context

Hearing it against Disc 2 matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. On Disc 2, it reads as part of a larger album world instead of a stray file in the crate. Hearing it against Disc 2 matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single.

Listen for

This one is airing as a clipped passage, so listen for the section Mr Rassy chose to stand in for the whole piece. The choice was deliberate: Mr Rassy kept the strongest passage of the long-form piece in the set instead of taking the full side.. Call Me The Breeze is waiting on the far side of that seam.

03later
Call Me The Breeze
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Why it fits

Call Me The Breeze by Lynyrd Skynyrd off The Definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd Collection (2) (1991) stays related to White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2 through southern rock, but changes the pocket enough to matter. Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars.

Track context

Hearing it against The Definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd Collection (2) matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Call Me The Breeze by Lynyrd Skynyrd off The Definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd Collection (2) (1991) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With Lynyrd Skynyrd, the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2. Hearing it against Disc 2 matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. White Light White Heat SHM-CD 2 by The Velvet Underground off Disc 2 stays related to The Outsiders by R.E.M. The transition is earning its place instead of skating by on vibe.

Subtle lift / midnight patiencePlaylist noteApr 29, 20262:02 AMOpen set

Uninvited is the thesis, and Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) is the answer waiting on deck.

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in. Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Uninvited
Alanis Morissette
The Collection · 2005 · Pop/Rock
Programming
Open set

Mr Rassy is shaping the next turn from the records already on the deck.

Sd 2 · clip
Lineup note
Uninvited into Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight)

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context
The Collection · 2005

Hearing it against The Collection matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Uninvited by Alanis Morissette off The Collection (2005) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With Alanis Morissette, the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for
What to catch in the arrangement

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead. Notice how it hands the weight to Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) instead of crowding the next move.

Alanis MorissetteMiles DavisA Tribe Called QuestPop/RockJazzHip Hopsubtle lift / midnight patiencedeep nightmidnight patiencePop/Rock
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Uninvited
Alanis Morissette
Why it fits

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context

Hearing it against The Collection matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Uninvited by Alanis Morissette off The Collection (2005) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With Alanis Morissette, the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead. Notice how it hands the weight to Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) instead of crowding the next move.

02next
Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight)
Miles Davis
Why it fits

Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) stays related to Uninvited by Alanis Morissette off The Collection (2005) through jazz, but changes the pocket enough to matter. Reach for it when the set needs lift, conversation between parts, and something that can move without turning blunt. It leaves Lyrics to Go by A Tribe Called Quest off Midnight Marauders (1993) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context

Hearing it against INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) works when the set needs collective motion and color instead of blunt force. Miles Davis makes the most sense here as an ensemble proposition: the interest is in how the parts talk to each other, not just one lead line. This one earns its space through moving parts: sections shifting roles, rhythm pushing from underneath, and an arrangement that keeps relocating the center.

Listen for

Listen for how the lead line, horns or keys, and the rhythm section keep trading weight instead of sitting in fixed roles. Notice how it hands the weight to Lyrics to Go by A Tribe Called Quest off Midnight Marauders (1993) instead of crowding the next move.

03later
Lyrics to Go
A Tribe Called Quest
Why it fits

Lyrics to Go by A Tribe Called Quest off Midnight Marauders (1993) stays related to Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) through hip hop, but changes the pocket enough to matter. Reach for it when the pressure needs to come from the pocket and the cadence rather than from a giant arrangement swing.

Track context

Hearing it against Midnight Marauders matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Lyrics to Go by A Tribe Called Quest off Midnight Marauders (1993) keeps the pressure in the pocket and the phrasing, which makes it a control move as much as a crowd move. On Midnight Marauders (1993), it reads as part of a larger album world instead of a stray file in the crate. Listen for how the cadence and the low end keep re-framing the center of the track without resorting to big obvious turns.

Listen for

Listen for how the cadence and the low end keep re-framing the center of the track without resorting to big obvious turns.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024). Hearing it against INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Tadd's Delight (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off INTEGRAL MILES DAVIS 1951-1956 (2024) stays related to Uninvited by Alanis Morissette off The Collection (2005) through jazz, but changes the pocket enough to matter. The transition is earning its place instead of skating by on vibe.

Subtle lift / golden swayPlaylist noteApr 28, 20263:40 PM

My Blue Heaven is the thesis, and Bad Girls is the answer waiting on deck.

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in. Bad Girls is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
My Blue Heaven
Fats Domino
Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans · 2007 · Rock & Roll
Lineup note
My Blue Heaven into Bad Girls

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context
Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans · 2007

Hearing it against Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. My Blue Heaven by Fats Domino off Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans (2007) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With Fats Domino, the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for
What to catch in the arrangement

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead. Notice how it hands the weight to Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) instead of crowding the next move.

Fats DominoDonna SummerLondon GrammarRock & RollClassic RockAlternative & Indiesubtle lift / golden swaygolden afternoongolden swayRock & Roll
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
My Blue Heaven
Fats Domino
Why it fits

Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context

Hearing it against Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. My Blue Heaven by Fats Domino off Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans (2007) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With Fats Domino, the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead. Notice how it hands the weight to Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) instead of crowding the next move.

02next
Bad Girls
Donna Summer
Why it fits

Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) cools the temperature after My Blue Heaven by Fats Domino off Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans (2007) and lets the turn breathe. Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars. It leaves Into Gold by London Grammar off The Greatest Love (2024) a clean lane instead of boxing the handoff in.

Track context

Hearing it against Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With Donna Summer, the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead. Notice how it hands the weight to Into Gold by London Grammar off The Greatest Love (2024) instead of crowding the next move.

03later
Into Gold
London Grammar
Why it fits

Into Gold by London Grammar off The Greatest Love (2024) lifts the pressure after Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) without snapping the thread. Reach for it when the turn needs shape, attack, and a record that can define the next move in just a few bars.

Track context

Hearing it against The Greatest Love matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Into Gold by London Grammar off The Greatest Love (2024) carries the feel of a band in a room rather than a mood-board tag, and that physicality matters in a sequence. With London Grammar, the attraction is often attack and arrangement economy: what the band can say quickly and physically. The record earns its place through how the arrangement opens and tightens rather than through sheer mass.

Listen for

Listen for where the arrangement opens wider than the first impression suggests, especially when the rhythm section changes the floor under the lead.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998). Hearing it against Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold matters because it reads like part of an album world, not a detached single. Bad Girls by Donna Summer off Sounds of the Seventies - '70s Gold (1998) cools the temperature after My Blue Heaven by Fats Domino off Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans (2007) and lets the turn breathe. The transition is earning its place instead of skating by on vibe.