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
4 saved turns
Lineup logic first. Song notes right behind it.
Subtle lift / slow burn achePlaylist noteApr 22, 20261:00 AMAphex Twin close-upsame artist

Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) is setting the deep night temperature on the dial.

Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (2) (1988) is coming through with a bright electric charge, a subtle lift / slow-burn ache lean, and a touch of slow-burn ache. Ptolemy is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight)
Miles Davis
The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (2) · 1988 · Jazz
Programming
Aphex Twin close-up

A short run staying inside Aphex Twin's handwriting instead of skimming past it.

Lineup note
Aphex Twin close-up

Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis off The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (2) (1988) belongs here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after 'Boy, What A Night' by Lee Morgan and turns the color from 1960s into 1990s.. Ptolemy is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (2) · 1988

Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) comes through with a bright electric charge and jazz around the edges, giving the sequence a 1980s 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 Ptolemy 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 DavisAphex TwinJazzelectronic, ambient, experimentalsubtle lift / slow-burn achedeep nightslow-burn acheJazz
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight)
Miles Davis
Why it fits

Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) by Miles Davis lands here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after 'Boy, What A Night' by Lee Morgan and turns the color from 1960s into 1990s.. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Ptolemy can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (2) (1988), Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) shows Miles Davis working in a 1980s pocket with jazz in the grain. The cut moves with a bright electric charge, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it. Inside Aphex Twin close-up, 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 Ptolemy to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
Ptolemy
Aphex Twin
Why it fits

Ptolemy keeps aphex twin close-up honest by sounding like a real choice inside that lane, not a decorative gesture. The electronic, ambient, experimental edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Father can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (1992), Ptolemy 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. Inside Aphex Twin close-up, it reads as curation rather than stunt programming.

Listen for

Listen for the electronic, ambient, experimental texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Bye Bye Blackbird (From The Album 'Round About Midnight) without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Father to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Father
Aphex Twin
Why it fits

Father keeps aphex twin close-up honest by sounding like a real choice inside that lane, not a decorative gesture. The electronic, ambient, experimental edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Disc 2 - Drukqs (2001), Father shows Aphex Twin working in a 2000s 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. Inside Aphex Twin close-up, it reads as curation rather than stunt programming.

Listen for

Listen for the electronic, ambient, experimental texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Ptolemy without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

And now, let's take a slight turn into the future with 'Ptolemy' by Aphex Twin. It’s like stepping out of a dream and into something new.

Subtle lift / after hours electricityPlaylist noteApr 21, 202611:44 PM

Honky Tonk is setting the after-hours temperature on the dial.

Honky Tonk by Miles Davis off The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (Disc 4) (1988) is coming through with a steady shoulder-roll, a subtle lift / after-hours electricity lean, and a touch of after-hours electricity. There She Goes Again is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Honky Tonk
Miles Davis
The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (Disc 4) · 1988 · Jazz
Lineup note
Honky Tonk into There She Goes Again

Honky Tonk by Miles Davis off The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (Disc 4) (1988) belongs here because keeps the emotional pressure steady after Loaded CD4 by Velvet Underground and changes the palette without cutting the thread. R.E.M. is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences, so the pick already reads like a real hand.. There She Goes Again is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (Disc 4) · 1988

Honky Tonk comes through with a steady shoulder-roll and jazz around the edges, giving the sequence a 1980s 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 There She Goes Again 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 DavisR.E.M.Counting CrowsJazzRockAlternative Rocksubtle lift / after-hours electricityafter-hoursafter-hours electricityJazz
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Honky Tonk
Miles Davis
Why it fits

Honky Tonk by Miles Davis lands here because keeps the emotional pressure steady after Loaded CD4 by Velvet Underground and changes the palette without cutting the thread. R.E.M. is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences, so the pick already reads like a real hand.. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. There She Goes Again can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (Disc 4) (1988), Honky Tonk shows Miles Davis working in a 1980s pocket with jazz 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 jazz texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for There She Goes Again to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
There She Goes Again
R.E.M.
Why it fits

There She Goes Again answers Honky Tonk 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. Raining in Baltimore can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Dead Letter Office (1987), There She Goes Again shows R.E.M. working in a 1980s 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 Honky Tonk without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Raining in Baltimore to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Raining in Baltimore
Counting Crows
Why it fits

Raining in Baltimore answers There She Goes Again 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.

Track context

On August and Everything After (1993), Raining in Baltimore shows Counting Crows working in a 1990s pocket with alternative 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 alternative rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers There She Goes Again without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up There She Goes Again by R.E.M. off Dead Letter Office (1987). It hit in 1987, it comes off Dead Letter Office, Rock on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. keeps the emotional pressure steady after Loaded CD4 by Velvet Underground and changes the palette without cutting the thread. R.E.M. is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences, so the pick already reads like a real hand.

Forward motion / crisp chargePlaylist noteApr 21, 20261:21 PM

Memory is setting the midday temperature on the dial.

Memory by Barry Manilow off Here Comes the Night (1982) is coming through with a steady shoulder-roll, a forward motion / crisp charge lean, and a touch of crisp charge. Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Memory
Barry Manilow
Here Comes the Night · 1982 · Pop, Rock
Lineup note
Memory into Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges

Memory by Barry Manilow off Here Comes the Night (1982) belongs here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after Cortez the Killer by Neil Young & Crazy Horse and turns the color from 1970s into 2010s. Miles Davis is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences, so the pick already reads like a real hand.. Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
Here Comes the Night · 1982

Memory comes through with a steady shoulder-roll and pop, rock around the edges, giving the sequence a 1980s 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 Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the pop, rock grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

Barry ManilowSatieMiles DavisPop, RockClassicalJazzforward motion / crisp chargemiddaycrisp chargePop, Rock
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Memory
Barry Manilow
Why it fits

Memory by Barry Manilow lands here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after Cortez the Killer by Neil Young & Crazy Horse and turns the color from 1970s into 2010s. Miles Davis is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences, so the pick already reads like a real hand.. The pop, rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Here Comes the Night (1982), Memory shows Barry Manilow working in a 1980s pocket with pop, 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 pop, rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges
Satie
Why it fits

Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges answers Memory by Barry Manilow with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The classical edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Dialogue: 'It takes a long time...' can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Complete Piano Works, Volume 1 (1994), Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges shows Satie working in a 1990s pocket with classical 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 classical texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Memory without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Dialogue: 'It takes a long time...' to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Dialogue: 'It takes a long time...'
Miles Davis
Why it fits

Dialogue: 'It takes a long time...' answers Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges by Satie 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 Miles Ahead: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2016), Dialogue: 'It takes a long time...' shows Miles Davis working in a 2010s pocket with jazz 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 jazz texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up Quatre Ogives: I. Les Anges by Satie off Complete Piano Works, Volume 1 (1994). It hit in 1994, it comes off Complete Piano Works, Volume 1, Classical on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. Keeps the emotional pressure steady after Cortez the Killer by Neil Young & Crazy Horse and turns the color from 1970s into 2010s. Miles Davis is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences, so the pick already reads like a real hand.

Forward motion / crisp chargePlaylist noteApr 21, 202612:11 PMOpen set

Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium) is setting the midday temperature on the dial.

Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium) by Talking Heads off Remain in Light (Deluxe Version) (1980) is coming through with a candlelit drift, a forward motion / crisp charge lean, and a touch of crisp charge. The Prophet Returns is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium)
Talking Heads
Remain in Light (Deluxe Version) · 1980 · Rock
Programming
Open set

Mr Rassy is building on feel and keeping the room moving.

The Prophet Returns · clip
Lineup note
Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium) into The Prophet Returns

Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium) by Talking Heads off Remain in Light (Deluxe Version) (1980) belongs here because The Prophet Returns by The Sun Ra Arkestra and Moonlight Drive (Remastered) by The Doors create a sharp two-step that keeps the emotional pressure steady while introducing new elements to the set.. The Prophet Returns is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
Remain in Light (Deluxe Version) · 1980

Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium) comes through with a candlelit drift and rock around the edges, giving the sequence a 1980s 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 The Prophet Returns 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.

Talking HeadsThe Sun Ra ArkestraSatieRockJazzClassicalforward motion / crisp chargemiddaycrisp chargeRock
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium)
Talking Heads
Why it fits

Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium) by Talking Heads lands here because The Prophet Returns by The Sun Ra Arkestra and Moonlight Drive (Remastered) by The Doors create a sharp two-step that keeps the emotional pressure steady while introducing new elements to the set.. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. The Prophet Returns can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Remain in Light (Deluxe Version) (1980), Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium) shows Talking Heads working in a 1980s pocket with rock 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 rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for The Prophet Returns to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
The Prophet Returns
The Sun Ra Arkestra
Excerpted play
Why it fits

The Prophet Returns answers Houses in Motion (Live at Werchterpark Festival, Belgium) by Talking Heads 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. 6 Pièces De La Période: Songe-Creux can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Prophet (2022), The Prophet Returns shows The Sun Ra Arkestra working in a 2020s 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

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: The track is an album-side suite and provides a unique listening experience. A clip from the opening will give listeners a taste without overwhelming the set.. 6 Pièces De La Période: Songe-Creux is waiting on the far side of that seam.

03later
6 Pièces De La Période: Songe-Creux
Satie
Why it fits

6 Pièces De La Période: Songe-Creux answers The Prophet Returns by The Sun Ra Arkestra with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The classical edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Complete Piano Works, Volume 5 (1994), 6 Pièces De La Période: Songe-Creux shows Satie working in a 1990s pocket with classical 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 classical texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers The Prophet Returns without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up The Prophet Returns by The Sun Ra Arkestra off Prophet (2022). It hit in 2022, it comes off Prophet, Jazz on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. The Prophet Returns by The Sun Ra Arkestra and Moonlight Drive (Remastered) by The Doors create a sharp two-step that keeps the emotional pressure steady while introducing new elements to the set.