Mix CD Structure

I was wondering how some of you structure your mix CD's?

Meaning do you just throw it all together on the fly and hope it works out or do you have a definite formula in mind before you start.

I usually like mine to gradually build and peak near the end with a slight slide off at the end. although it doesn't always work out that way.

Any input on this subject is much appreciated.

Rips.

when I have made mix cds I find making it spontaneously works a lot better than mechnically designing it. One cd I did, I spent quite a lot of time for each transition, searching through all my tunes to find the 'perfect' tune to mix in. Ended up sounding technically good, perfect key-mixing etc, but emotionally stale.

On the other hand, mix cds which I've done on the fly, sometimes without actually aiming to have a mix cd, ie just mixing for fun and recording it, almost always turn out better.

I guess thats why djing is more an art than a science...

Start light and funky, build it up and get a bit harder and more peakey, and then usually have some fluffy stuff at the end...