Essential New Zealand Albums

Nick Bollinger presents picks from his book '100 Essential New Zealand Albums'.

Presented and produced by Nick Bollinger

A vintage CD featuring Nick Bollinger's album on a blue background. The text says "Esseential New Zealand Albums"

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All episodes:

An Urban Pacific Streetsoul Compilation - Proud

Season 1 / Episode 1
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.
Proud - An Urban Pacific Street-soul Compilation

Split Enz - Mental Notes

Season 1 / Episode 2
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 Bollinger discusses this landmark 1975 release.
Split Enz Mental Notes album cover

Goldenhorse - Riverhead

Season 1 / Episode 3
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 Geoff Maddock, for the series Essential New Zealand Albums. 1 September 2012.
Goldenhorse Riverhead album cover

Hello Sailor - Hello Sailor

Season 1 / Episode 4
The release of Hello Sailor's first album was a sign that local rock had lost its innocence. In this episode of Essential New Zealand Albums Nick Bollinger discusses this smart and seedy Kiwi classic.
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Herbs - Light of the Pacific

Season 1 / Episode 5
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 in Essential New Zealand Albums.
Herbs: Light of the Pacific album cover

Crocodiles - Tears

Season 1 / Episode 6
The Crocodiles brought together some of the sharpest minds in Kiwi pop. In Essential New Zealand Albums, Nick Bollinger discusses the 1980 debut Tears.
The Crocodiles

Dave Dobbyn - The Islander

Season 1 / Episode 7
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.
Dave Dobbyn - The Islander album cover image

Dragon - Sunshine

Season 1 / Episode 8
Dragon was a New Zealand band that lived life in the fast lane of Australian rock'n'roll. The 1976 album Sunshine tells a slice of the story. Nick Bollinger discusses the disc in detail in this edition of Essential New Zealand Albums.
Dragon Album Cover

Dinah Lee - Introducing... Dinah Lee

Season 1 / Episode 9
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, Introducing... Dinah Lee.
Introducing Dinah Lee album cover

Nick Bollinger's Essential NZ Albums

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

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