Essential New Zealand Albums

Nick pops into the studio to explain what makes an essential New Zealand album ahead of his radio series. Audio

Proud was a 1994 compilation of South Auckland artists and it paved the way for OMC's worldwide hit, 'How Bizarre'. Nick Bollinger talks to Proud's producer Alan Jansson. Read more Audio

Though Split Enz made many successful records, they never made another as disturbingly brilliant as their debut Mental Notes. In this episode of Essential New Zealand Albums music critic Nick… Read more Audio

Goldenhorse reached number one in New Zealand with their first album - but not until two years after it was released. Nick Bollinger discusses this local classic, and speaks to Goldenhorse founder… Read more Audio

Combining the influences of Bob Marley and the music of their Polynesian heritage, Herbs were pioneers of a Pacific reggae sound. Nick Bollinger discusses their first long-player Light of the Pacific… Read more Audio

The Crocodiles brought together some of the sharpest minds in Kiwi pop. In Essential New Zealand Albums, Nick Bollinger discusses the 1980 debut Tears. Read more Audio

There may be no artist who has made more essential New Zealand albums than Dave Dobbyn, and in this programme Nick Bollinger discusses his most quintessentially New Zealand one: The Islander. Read more Audio

In 1964 20-year old Christchurch singer Dinah Lee stormed the national hit parade with her local variation on the Jamaican ska sound. In this programme Nick Bollinger discusses her debut… Read more Audio

Che Fu's Navigator is an essential New Zealand album for its all-embracing fusion of soul, reggae, hip-hop and Pacifican sounds. Nick Bollinger discusses it in detail in this episode of Essential New… Read more Audio

Since its release at a budget price in 1970, The Human Instinct's Stoned Guitar has become recognized as a classic of psychedelic rock. Nick Bollinger discusses how it came about in this instalment of… Read more Audio

In the Flying Nun scene of the early 80's, Dunedin's Sneaky Feelings stood out for their aspirations. In this programme of Essential New Zealand Albums Nick Bollinger discusses their first album, Send… Read more Audio

Few albums convey a sense of place like True, the debut of Trinity Roots. In the final programme of this series, Nick Bollinger discusses how this recording became inseparable from its location. Read more Audio