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The Sampler headlines with summaries.
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The Tree Of Forgiveness by John Prine
8 May 2018Nick Bollinger finds John Prine in good humour - even as he confronts his mortality - on his first album in a dozen years.
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Roxy: Tonight's The Night Live by Neil Young
8 May 2018Nick Bollinger reviews a vintage live performance of a dark Neil Young classic.
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The Sampler - 8 May 2018
8 May 2018This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger discusses a funky and forthright new album from Janelle Monae; the first new songs in more than a decade from Americana icon John Prine, and a live set from the…
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Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae
8 May 2018Janelle Monae holds the Declaration of Independence to account in a funky and forthright new album. Nick Bollinger discusses.
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The Sampler - 1 May 2018
1 May 2018This week in the Sampler Nick Bollinger reviews an aspirational new album from New Zealand singer Kimbra; the ascent of rapper Cardi B, and latest from Wellington-based singer-songwriter-synthesist…
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The Sampler: Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B
1 May 2018Nick Bollinger discusses the ascent - and intent - of chart-topping rapper Cardi B.
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My Design, On Others' Lives by Estere
1 May 2018Nick Bollinger reviews an album of two halves from Wellington-based singer-songwriter-synthesist Estere.
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Primal Heart by Kimbra
1 May 2018Kimbra strives for self-improvement on her third album. Nick Bollinger assesses the results.
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Orquesta Akokan
24 Apr 2018Nick Bollinger discusses a contemporary recording that recalls the golden age of Cuban dance music.
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The Sampler: Shining Day by Delaney Davidson
24 Apr 2018Nick Bollinger reports on the latest recordings of itinerant songster Delaney Davidson.
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Cocoa Sugar by Young Fathers
24 Apr 2018Tony Stamp assesses the latest sounds from Afro-Scottish trio Young Fathers.
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The Sampler - 24 April 2018
24 Apr 2018Nick Bollinger reviews new sets from itinerant troubadour Delaney Davidson and modern day mambo kings Orquesta Akokan, while Tony Stamp digests new sounds from eclectic Afro-Scots trio Young Fathers.
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The Sampler - 17 April 2018
17 Apr 2018This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger discusses the starkly personal document of grief that is the latest album from Mount Errie; a set of Bob Dylan songs held up to soulful scrutiny by Bettye…
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Things Have Changed by Bettye LaVette
17 Apr 2018Veteran R&B singer Bettye Lavette holds a dozen Bob Dylan songs up to her soulful scrutiny. Nick Bollinger discusses.
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Now Only by Mount Eerie
17 Apr 2018Last year Phil Elverum, who records as Mount Eerie, released one of the most starkly personal documents of grief ever put on disc. Now there's a sequel. Nick Bollinger listens.
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The Sampler - 10 April 2018
10 Apr 2018Nick Bollinger discusses the dystopian visions and musical imagination of Ruban Neilson's Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and takes a tour of forgotten America with Courtney Marie Andrews, while Elliott…
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Clear Language by Balmorhea
10 Apr 2018Balmorhea's music has been labelled post-rock but Elliott Childs hears Americana in their recent second album.
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May Your Kindness Remain by Courtney Marie Andrews
10 Apr 2018Nick Bollinger lends an ear to the Trump-era country of Courtney Marie Andrews.
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The Sampler: Sex & Food by Unknown Mortal Orchestra
10 Apr 2018On the fourth album from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ruban Neilson combines dystopian visions with a complex musical imagination. Nick Bollinger listens.
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(Just Like) The Heartbreakers
3 Apr 2018Nick Bollinger assesses a lost piece of 70s pub-pop from Wellington's The Heartbreakers - and not Tom Petty's band.
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The Sampler - 3 April 2018
3 Apr 2018This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger discusses the funk and synth leanings of Jack White's latest solo set; a new album from Auckland duo - and sometime Supergroove horn section - Hopetoun Brown…
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Boarding House Reach by Jack White
3 Apr 2018For Boarding House Reach, Jack White goes heavy on the funk and synthesisers, but has he over-reached himself? Nick Bollinger takes a critical listen.
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Don't Let Them Lock You Up by Hopetoun Brown
3 Apr 2018Nick Bollinger tunes into two-man band, and ex-Supergroove horn section, Hopetoun Brown, aka Nick Atkinson and Tim Stewart.
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The Sampler - 27 March 2018
27 Mar 2018Nick Bollinger discusses a dark but hopeful third album from Wellington's Eb and Sparrow; the blood-and-gutsy songs of 20-year-old Sophie Allison, otherwise known as Soccer Mommy; the life-and-death…
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Top News stories
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