The Liner Notes
Issue №15 · July 24, 2026 · a new edition every week
Special Issue · The R&B & Soul Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Dionne Warwick
pop music · 1964–1986
The Groove Is in the Heart
- The Countdown · Top 10 Bass-in-Your-Chest Groove Machines
- Mixtape Map · Inside R&B & Soul
- Needle Drop · “Rhythm of the Rain” by The Cascades
- In Memoriam · Sinéad O'Connor
Issue №15
July 24, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
This issue is a bass line you feel in your chest and a horn section that won't quit.
Everything in here orbits R&B & Soul. Dionne Warwick gets the spotlight, and 1962 by the Numbers is the page you'll text a friend about.
Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.
Don't touch that dial, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: R&B & Soul
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Dionne Warwick
pop music · 1964–1986
With a voice that feels like a warm embrace, Dionne Warwick has serenaded us through the ups and downs of love and life. This American treasure has graced the charts with iconic tracks like "Walk On By," "Alfie," and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," each one a masterclass in pop and soul. Her collaborations with legendary songwriters have birthed timeless classics, such as "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "I'll Never Fall In Love Again." Beyond her musical prowess, Warwick's talents have also shone on screen and television, making her a multi-faceted icon. Her songs resonate with anyone who's ever felt the bittersweet pangs of romance, reminding us that love, in all its forms, is a beautiful mess worth celebrating.
Artist Spotlight
Dionne Warwick · cont.
“United States”
The facts
Dionne Warwick in the crate
From the Zine
Soul's Rising Tide
A powerful wave of sound and spirit.
R&B and Soul emerged from the depths of the Black experience, pushing against the rigid walls of segregation and inequality. These genres became the soundtrack for a generation hungry for connection and authenticity. Artists like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder infused their velvet vocals with raw emotion, creating a bridge between the struggles of everyday life and the desire for joy, freedom, and love. It was music that not only made you move but made you feel.
The grooves of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” and “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” encapsulated the hopes and fears of a community navigating a turbulent world. This was a time when the youth turned to the radio, searching for solace in the smooth harmonies of The Temptations and the soul-stirring ballads of Lionel Richie. R&B and Soul mattered because they gave voice to the voiceless and transformed the charts into a vibrant reflection of life, love, and resilience.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 5Needle Drop
Rhythm of the Rain
The Cascades · 1963 · R&B/Soul
On a mixtape a friend swore would change your life.
lying on the floor reading the liner notes.
Three notes and you're back in that bedroom.
▸ Play it on
Tap ☆ to set your player — from then on it's one-tap play everywhere.
Needle Drop
Rhythm of the Rain
The Cascades · 1963 · R&B/Soul
If you like this…
The Countdown
Top 10 Bass-in-Your-Chest Groove Machines
Get ready to groove as we count down the top tracks that defined the smoothest sounds in R&B & Soul. From slow jams to funky anthems, this ride promises nostalgia and rhythm all the way.
- 1
When Doves CryPrince · 1984
Raw emotion spills over in every note, capturing the ache of love's contradictions.
- 2
That's What Friends Are ForDionne Warwick · 1986
A warm hug in musical form, reminding us that true friends always stand by us.
- 3
- 4
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine InThe 5th Dimension · 1969
This anthem lifts you to sun-soaked, flower-child days of peace and love.
- 5Bad Girls
Donna Summer · 1979
The irresistible groove transports you to neon-lit nights of disco and daring escapades.
The Countdown
Top 10 Bass-in-Your-Chest Groove Machines · 6–10
- 6
Endless LoveLionel Richie & Diana Ross · 1981
A timeless ballad that wraps you in a warm blanket of romance and longing.
- 7
- 8
No ScrubsTLC · 1999
An empowering groove that sparks memories of fierce friendships and setting high standards.
- 9
Mashed Potato TimeDee Dee Sharp · 1962
This playful jam whisks you back to carefree dance parties and joyful innocence.
- 10Rhythm of the Rain
The Cascades · 1963
A wistful tune that echoes the bittersweet nostalgia of lost love and rainy afternoons.
Scene Report
R&B & Soul
The Sound
Expect lush strings, tight horn sections, and velvety vocals that wrap around you like a warm blanket. The production is rich and polished, providing a perfect backdrop for heartfelt storytelling and dance-floor magic.
The Look
Imagine bell-bottoms and bold patterns, with glittering platforms and flowing dresses that sway with every beat. The scene is vibrant, reflecting the pulsating energy of nightclubs, living rooms filled with friends, and record shops bursting with vinyl treasures.
The Artists
Stevie Wonder · Aretha Franklin · Lionel Richie · Dionne Warwick · Luther Vandross
Scene Report
R&B & Soul · The Records
When Doves Cry
Prince · 1984
Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
Aretha Franklin · 1960
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Motown Soul · Funk Machine
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Dionne Warwick vs. Chubby Checker
| ◀ | 🔥 Chart Hits | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| ◀ | 📅 Staying Power | |
| ◀ | 💿 Catalog Depth | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Dionne Warwick takes the round.
Hometown advantage, decided in the chorus.
The Mixtape Map
Inside R&B & Soul · 📼 1/2
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Quiet Storm
Lights low, volume soft.
The Mixtape Map
Inside R&B & Soul · 📼 2/2
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Soul Shouters
Horns up, hands clapping.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1989…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
Look Away
Chicago
At the movies
- Batman
- Dead Poets Society
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
On TV
- Seinfeld pilot
- The Simpsons series premiere
- Saved by the Bell
In the headlines
- The Berlin Wall falls
- Game Boy launches
- World Wide Web proposed by Tim Berners-Lee
From the Zine
The Soulful Rituals
Your ticket to the heart of R&B.
You remember the rhythm of the city, the unmistakable pulse of R&B seeping through the streets. You’d gather with friends in dimly lit living rooms, the air thick with anticipation as you slid a vinyl onto the turntable, the crackle of the needle igniting the groove. You’d sway to “Endless Love” and laugh at the playful beats of “Mashed Potato Time,” each song a little ceremony that solidified your bond and defined the moment.
As the night wore on, you’d flip through mixtapes, carefully curated with tracks like “Waterfalls” and “Too Close,” each song a chapter in your shared history. The house parties became legendary, with everyone dressed to impress, getting lost in the melodies that made you feel alive. R&B was more than music; it was a ritual, a celebration of friendship and love, echoing through the hallways of your youth, forever etched in your memories.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 16Chart Flashback
1962 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
Rewind to the 1962 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “Stranger On the Shore” by Acker Bilk sat at #1, and Dion racked up 3 charting hits.
Gone But Not Forgotten
The Ground Round
1969–2004
Peanuts on the floor, cartoons on the screen.
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“almost a month since i buried you mum, i always promised you would go out to this. i hope u boogied ur way back home, where ur 17 and nothing bad has happened yet.”
“absolute banger”
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape… · cont.
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“getting rickrolled”
“Another song that makes me think of going to the pool when I was younger. Now it's one of my favorite songs and bands in adulthood!”
The Back Page
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
The Proclaimers · 1988
You Are
Lionel Richie · 1983
Misheard for 30 Years
“Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you”
…is actually “...a piece of me with you” — Paul Young — Every Time You Go Away.
Classifieds
- WANTED: Someone to finish the friendship bracelet I started in 1994.
- FREE: Box of cassette singles. You haul. Bring a Walkman to test.
- LOST: One JNCO jean leg, approximately the size of a garbage bag.
Next week: Jazz Cellar
That’s the issue.
A fresh edition of The Liner Notes drops every week, composed from the crate — the artists, the years, the charts, and the stories behind them.
The Liner Notes · Issue №15
FinSpecial Issue · The R&B & Soul Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Dionne Warwick
pop music · 1964–1986
The Groove Is in the Heart
- The Countdown · Top 10 Bass-in-Your-Chest Groove Machines
- Mixtape Map · Inside R&B & Soul
- Needle Drop · “Rhythm of the Rain” by The Cascades
- In Memoriam · Sinéad O'Connor
Issue №15
July 24, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
This issue is a bass line you feel in your chest and a horn section that won't quit.
Everything in here orbits R&B & Soul. Dionne Warwick gets the spotlight, and 1962 by the Numbers is the page you'll text a friend about.
Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.
Don't touch that dial, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: R&B & Soul
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Dionne Warwick
pop music · 1964–1986
With a voice that feels like a warm embrace, Dionne Warwick has serenaded us through the ups and downs of love and life. This American treasure has graced the charts with iconic tracks like "Walk On By," "Alfie," and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," each one a masterclass in pop and soul. Her collaborations with legendary songwriters have birthed timeless classics, such as "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "I'll Never Fall In Love Again." Beyond her musical prowess, Warwick's talents have also shone on screen and television, making her a multi-faceted icon. Her songs resonate with anyone who's ever felt the bittersweet pangs of romance, reminding us that love, in all its forms, is a beautiful mess worth celebrating.
“United States”
The facts
Dionne Warwick in the crate
From the Zine
Soul's Rising Tide
A powerful wave of sound and spirit.
R&B and Soul emerged from the depths of the Black experience, pushing against the rigid walls of segregation and inequality. These genres became the soundtrack for a generation hungry for connection and authenticity. Artists like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder infused their velvet vocals with raw emotion, creating a bridge between the struggles of everyday life and the desire for joy, freedom, and love. It was music that not only made you move but made you feel.
The grooves of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” and “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” encapsulated the hopes and fears of a community navigating a turbulent world. This was a time when the youth turned to the radio, searching for solace in the smooth harmonies of The Temptations and the soul-stirring ballads of Lionel Richie. R&B and Soul mattered because they gave voice to the voiceless and transformed the charts into a vibrant reflection of life, love, and resilience.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 4Needle Drop
Rhythm of the Rain
The Cascades · 1963 · R&B/Soul
On a mixtape a friend swore would change your life.
lying on the floor reading the liner notes.
Three notes and you're back in that bedroom.
▸ Play it on
Tap ☆ to set your player — from then on it's one-tap play everywhere.
If you like this…
The Countdown
Top 10 Bass-in-Your-Chest Groove Machines
Get ready to groove as we count down the top tracks that defined the smoothest sounds in R&B & Soul. From slow jams to funky anthems, this ride promises nostalgia and rhythm all the way.
- 1When Doves Cry
Prince · 1984
Raw emotion spills over in every note, capturing the ache of love's contradictions.
- 2That's What Friends Are For
Dionne Warwick · 1986
A warm hug in musical form, reminding us that true friends always stand by us.
- 3
- 4Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In
The 5th Dimension · 1969
This anthem lifts you to sun-soaked, flower-child days of peace and love.
- 5Bad Girls
Donna Summer · 1979
The irresistible groove transports you to neon-lit nights of disco and daring escapades.
- 6Endless Love
Lionel Richie & Diana Ross · 1981
A timeless ballad that wraps you in a warm blanket of romance and longing.
- 7
- 8No Scrubs
TLC · 1999
An empowering groove that sparks memories of fierce friendships and setting high standards.
- 9Mashed Potato Time
Dee Dee Sharp · 1962
This playful jam whisks you back to carefree dance parties and joyful innocence.
- 10Rhythm of the Rain
The Cascades · 1963
A wistful tune that echoes the bittersweet nostalgia of lost love and rainy afternoons.
Scene Report
R&B & Soul
The Sound
Expect lush strings, tight horn sections, and velvety vocals that wrap around you like a warm blanket. The production is rich and polished, providing a perfect backdrop for heartfelt storytelling and dance-floor magic.
The Look
Imagine bell-bottoms and bold patterns, with glittering platforms and flowing dresses that sway with every beat. The scene is vibrant, reflecting the pulsating energy of nightclubs, living rooms filled with friends, and record shops bursting with vinyl treasures.
The Artists
Stevie Wonder · Aretha Franklin · Lionel Richie · Dionne Warwick · Luther Vandross
When Doves Cry
Prince · 1984
Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
Aretha Franklin · 1960
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Motown Soul · Funk Machine
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Dionne Warwick vs. Chubby Checker
| ◀ | 🔥 Chart Hits | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| ◀ | 📅 Staying Power | |
| ◀ | 💿 Catalog Depth | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Dionne Warwick takes the round.
Hometown advantage, decided in the chorus.
The Mixtape Map
Inside R&B & Soul
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Quiet Storm
Lights low, volume soft.
📼 Soul Shouters
Horns up, hands clapping.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1989…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
Look Away
Chicago
At the movies
- Batman
- Dead Poets Society
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
On TV
- Seinfeld pilot
- The Simpsons series premiere
- Saved by the Bell
In the headlines
- The Berlin Wall falls
- Game Boy launches
- World Wide Web proposed by Tim Berners-Lee
From the Zine
The Soulful Rituals
Your ticket to the heart of R&B.
You remember the rhythm of the city, the unmistakable pulse of R&B seeping through the streets. You’d gather with friends in dimly lit living rooms, the air thick with anticipation as you slid a vinyl onto the turntable, the crackle of the needle igniting the groove. You’d sway to “Endless Love” and laugh at the playful beats of “Mashed Potato Time,” each song a little ceremony that solidified your bond and defined the moment.
As the night wore on, you’d flip through mixtapes, carefully curated with tracks like “Waterfalls” and “Too Close,” each song a chapter in your shared history. The house parties became legendary, with everyone dressed to impress, getting lost in the melodies that made you feel alive. R&B was more than music; it was a ritual, a celebration of friendship and love, echoing through the hallways of your youth, forever etched in your memories.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 11Chart Flashback
1962 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
Rewind to the 1962 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “Stranger On the Shore” by Acker Bilk sat at #1, and Dion racked up 3 charting hits.
The 1962 Top 10
Gone But Not Forgotten
The Ground Round
1969–2004
Peanuts on the floor, cartoons on the screen.
Read the full piece →p. 13“Opened · 1969”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“almost a month since i buried you mum, i always promised you would go out to this. i hope u boogied ur way back home, where ur 17 and nothing bad has happened yet.”
“absolute banger”
“getting rickrolled”
“Another song that makes me think of going to the pool when I was younger. Now it's one of my favorite songs and bands in adulthood!”
The Back Page
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
The Proclaimers · 1988
You Are
Lionel Richie · 1983
Misheard for 30 Years
“Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you”
…is actually “...a piece of me with you” — Paul Young — Every Time You Go Away.
Classifieds
- WANTED: Someone to finish the friendship bracelet I started in 1994.
- FREE: Box of cassette singles. You haul. Bring a Walkman to test.
- LOST: One JNCO jean leg, approximately the size of a garbage bag.
Next week: Jazz Cellar
That’s the issue.
A fresh edition of The Liner Notes drops every week, composed from the crate — the artists, the years, the charts, and the stories behind them.
The Liner Notes · Issue №15
Fin📰 Off the Wire
This week in the world we came from — real headlines, straight to the source.
- Sunn O))) Showcase Wide Music Taste on Amoeba Records What s In My Bag? : WatchConsequence
- Anthony Green Sweet Pill s Zayna Youssef Cover Porno For Pyros PetsStereogum
- Bullion RooStereogum
- How Strange It Is Announce New Album There Is No Evil: Hear “Slime”Stereogum
- Aphex Twin Announces 25th Anniversary Reissue of DrukqsConsequence
- The Offspring add NJ Just The Punk Stuff show before Sea.Hear.NowBrooklyn Vegan
Headlines are curated from public feeds and link to their source — read the full story there. The full Gazette →