A day or two ago I reminisced about San Francisco’s KKSF which was a delightful listen during the late 80’s-early 90’s. While I was working on that post, it dawned on me that I could try using AI to write a prompt to use with a new feature in Apple Music that allows you to enter a description of the kind of playlist you’re looking for.
So I tried it. Here’s the prompt for a KKSF-like playlist:
Create a playlist inspired by Steve Feinstein’s programming at KKSF San Francisco in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Focus on polished, melodic New Adult Contemporary and early smooth jazz with a slightly adventurous edge. Include core artists like Kenny G, Sade, The Rippingtons, and Al Jarreau, but also soft rock vocals from Sting, Chris Rea, Bonnie Raitt, Steely Dan, and Bryan Ferry. Add world-flavored tracks, acid jazz, solo piano and guitar pieces, and occasional blues or folk-tinged songs. Emphasize texture, melody, and ‘flavor cuts’ rather than predictable mainstream smooth jazz. Keep the overall mood smooth, rhythmic, and perfect for at-work listening.
This morning (Sunday) I happened to remember another old radio moment – on Sunday mornings KFOG used to have a program called Acoustic Sunrise. It was a delightful listen. So I asked for a prompt:
Create a playlist that recreates the feeling of KFOG’s Acoustic Sunrise with Rosalie Howarth. Focus on warm, contemplative acoustic and unplugged music perfect for a quiet Sunday morning. Emphasize singer-songwriters, folk-rock, and soft adult alternative tracks with strong melodies and intimate production. Include artists and styles associated with the show such as Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Cockburn, Dar Williams, Eva Cassidy, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Shawn Mullins, Natalie Merchant, Nick Drake, and acoustic or stripped-down versions of songs by artists like Pearl Jam, R.E.M., and Sting. Keep the overall mood serene, reflective, and gently uplifting — an oasis of calm acoustic music.
Neither of these prompts is perfect – but they’re fun to try and then augment with more of your favorite songs.