Currently there are seventeen titles in the YELLOW EYE MUSIC CATALOGUE. The following is a brief description of each release. Also on this page are other titles distributed by Yellow Eye. If you want to purchase a particular CD online, click on the album cover image at the left of each description.

EYE021 : THE NORMAN MEEHAN QUINTET:
THE BELLS
A debut from this Wellington based quintet formed around pianist Norman Meehan (head of the Massey University School of Jazz in Wellington). A first for the label with piano to the fore. Featuring the C L BOB rhythm section of Tim Jaray on Double Bass and Steve Cournane drums, along with Lucien Johnson sax and flute, Nick Van Dijk trumpet and trombone. Keep an eye out for more releases from Norm in the future. "A well played collection of seductive original material with a subversive edge" More...

EYE022 : VARIOUS : TRANSTASMAN COMPILATION
The past twenty years has seen an amazing flowering of creative musical talent on both sides of the Tasman, ample evidence of which is heard throughout this CD. Although the main focus on this recording is on Kiwi music and musicians, celebrating the creative music community is really at the heart of this CD, no matter where the musicians heard here may choose to live and work. More...

EYE018 : DAVID EGGLETON : VERSIFIER
VERSIFIER is the umbrella title of performance poet DAVID EGGLETON's new album of words and music. Musical contributions are from JAY CLARKSON, MARTIN PHILLIPPS, JOOST LANGEVELD, JORDAN REYNE, MICHAEL MORLEY, TREVOR COLEMAN, DAVID DOWNES, MATTHEW ROBERTSON and others. Tracks range from New Zealand soundscapes to country-tinged evangelical numbers to gothic anthems and electronica. More...

EYE020 : MESTAR : PORCUPINE
Onward into a new century and a new generation of good old Dunedin quirky twisted guitar pop legacy, MESTAR emerges with their third CD release and first on YELLOW EYE. From simple jumpy three minute pop explosions to beautifully crafted gorgeous ballads of melancholy, Mestar are one of NZ's most listenable and likeable guitar pop bands at this present point in time. More...

EYE019 : C.L.BOB : STEREOSCOPE
A Wellington based sextet of Jazz Terrorists , C.L. BOB has been together since 1994. NEW ALBUM STEREOSCOPE OUT NOW "An inventive ensemble whose music ranged from Afro-Caribbean shuffles to Hendrix-style mayhem." Melbourne Age, January 30 2001 More...

EYE016 : SHE'S INSANE : SELF-TITLED
1999 debut release of Christchurch's latest pop darlings (bubblegrungers).Their greatest asset being the twin melodic vocals of sisters Maria (guitar ) and Tasha (drums), basically timeless music from guitars, bass and drums. Short snappy and uptempo, backed up by punchy, crunchy guitars. Maria's trashy pop voice often likened to the 60's girl groups like SHANGRI LAS, while the music has that cut to the chase immediacy of early RAMONES. 15 track release infectious, energetic power pop a la PIXIES, PRIMATIVES. An album that you can put on, turn up and dance around your bedroom singing into your hairbrush with. SHE'S INSANE Reviews, etc.

EYE015 : C.L.BOB : SELF-TITLED
First appearance since TREES JAZZ SAMPLER 1996. Wellington based five piece, same lineup new direction, discovering and forging a sound and style of their own. More light hearted and less heavy (acoustic) than SYZYGY but similarities in their pushing of the boundaries in the style they're developing. Instrumental and improvisational meets Jazz. A live recorded studio performance direct to DAT showcasing each of the members as genuinely original composing talents. Intelligent, humourous and inventive with a secret hidden track to boot. Take part in this musical journey from one of this country's more widely travelled groups, having performed from Pahia to Stewart Island. C.L.BOB is a release that explores the experience and experimentation of new influences and taking risks. C.L.BOB Reviews, etc.

EYE005-007 : BUT I CAN WRITE SONGS OKAY : 3CD COMPILATION
Another fantastic compilation from the YELLOW EYE nutters. This one could be the most definitive yet, covering 40 years of music in Dunedin, from the halcyon days of 1958 and live recordings of virtually unknown rock and roll bands such as THE PANTHERS, to an unreleased 1996 song about the Aramoana tragedy by the T AND D BIGGER BAND. In between it has almost every classic hit song ever written in Dunedin, from the first Dunedin number one by CRAIG SCOTT, through the best of the FLYING NUN stuff and the first true release of THE ENEMY and THE SAME. Unreleased material by DAVID KILGOUR, LBGP, HEAVENLY BODIES and previous vinyl only NUN stuff via CRYSTAL ZOOM, ALPACA BROS. and BORED GAMES. Too many highlights on this to mention in a short blurb. JUST BUY IT. BUT I CAN WRITE SONGS OKEY Reviews, etc.

EYE004 : TREES : YELLOW EYE JAZZ SAMPLER
The first release by YELLOW EYE using artists north of the Kilmog. TREES showcases five bands and twenty six musicians with prodigious talents from New Zealand's capital city Wellington. Recorded in mid 1995, the bands are: THE SYZYGY CREATIVE MUSIC ENSEMBLE, THE C.L.BOB QUINTET, SPOOK, APOLLO 10, and TARDIS. The music ranges from the popular RONNIE JORDAN and BENSON acid jazz of TARDIS to the more New York (M-BASE) sounds of SYZYGY. Splash in the African rap of APOLLO TEN and the demented TV theme music of SPOOK and you have a unique blend of pyscho-improv. Label co-founder, Steve Cournane drums in the organic, very acoustic, C.L.BOB QUINTET who have toured widely in NZ. TREES Reviews, etc.

EYE012 : SWAMPY : RADIO SWAMPY
Solo guitarist - singer songwriter Grant Ramsay, backed up by sinister machine like sounds (drum machines and wee keyboards) and instruments such as harmonica and accordion. One mans social commentary of life in the Deep South at the bottom of this world. Sub-tech (the next level down from lo-tech) i.e. subsistence, D.I.Y. 4 track recordings dumped onto digital format with effects added. No instant throwaway pop here, a well crafted soundscape that flows and grows a la early TALL DWARFS, BECK, WEEN. Cheap is not necessarily nasty although there's anger in some of these songs in parallel to whats going on in this country and where we're heading. RADIO SWAMPY Reviews, etc.

EYE011 : SYZYGY CREATIVE MUSIC ENSEMBLE : TONGUE GROOVES
Having contributed three tracks to the highly acclaimed YELLOW EYE JAZZ SAMPLER in 1996, including the haunting title track TREES, SYZYGY welcome in the Southern Winter with a debut that has absolutely nothing for your average radio fan. A highly charged, take no prisoners musical beast. Not for the faint at heart. No covers or standards here . . . Jazz yes, instrumental improvisation more so. Music that refuses to be restricted, dynamic spacious and powerful. Led by the prodigous alto sax and compositional talent of chief songwriter Jeff Henderson. Rejoice in a band who are in the Now. High class mayhem. TONGUE GROOVES Reviews, etc.

EYE001 : OUT OF THE YELLOW EYE : COMPILATION
Our first compilation released in 1992 features four guitar based bands; funky popsters CYNTHIA SHOULD, THE WEETBIX BOYS who can be at once hilarious on FULL CREAM EMULSIFIED DREAM and then serious on BALLAD FOR BRUNNER (dedicated to the 1896 coal mine disaster), the brooding MY DEVIANT DAUGHTER including their classic song of despair FALLING SON and the twin guitar alternative rock of FUNHOUSE which includes their student radio hit TROUBLE THIS TIME. OUT OF THE YELLOW EYE Reviews, etc.

EYE010 : CYNTHIA SHOULD : MUTTON
First heard on our original OUT OF THE YELLOW EYE release back in 1992. Accessible, bright pop music with a contrasting vocal style not unlike JORDAN LUCK on valium. MUTTON sees an added darker side to the band once called the downer Dudes of the 90's. A debut that deals with sexual and gender confusion deftly underscored by pop music that is dangerously mainstream in inclination. CYNTHIA SHOULD would have been the five most goofy, uncool guys in your class at school and have been together from (mid 1989) and rocking in a very relaxed way ever since. More About MUTTON.

EYE009 : BROUHAHA : LIVELONG
An upbeat offbeat Wellington Four piece, a real shit kicking near on 60 minutes 19 tracks on this debut. Possibly the best street busking group in the land. Based around the hyperactive ability of main singer song writer Aaron Watson, whose sharp clever lyrics match the fast paced musical accompaniment. FEMMES meet SKA meet an eclectic college era DON McGLASHAN. Great vocal harmonies, bass driven ditties and sampled comments through out. LIVELONG Reviews, etc.

EYE 003 : LOVE CONSORT : ENTER ARIEL
An exceedingly interesting blend of groove and dance music masterminded by guitar guru Wallace Chapman in the winter of 1995. Inspired by SHAKESPEARE's THE TEMPEST, and assisted by classical vocalists and rigorous sampling this release will appeal to techno and jazz fans alike. Fifteen tunes from a man strongly influenced by the British trip/hop movement. ENTER ARIEL Reviews, etc.

EYE002 : FUNHOUSE : ROY
The 1995 debut album by this powerful band is a must for people interested in strong aggressive alternative rock. Recorded in three different locations the album ranges from the sweet ballad I DON'T MIND, which earned significant radio play (and has a fantastic video) to the more 3D's influenced tune AFTER THIS. Not a weak song on this album it effectively showcases the exceptional songwriting ability of these two guitarists and a band that long ago forged its own unique sound. ROY Reviews, etc.

EYE008 : T & D BIGGER BAND : HILLINGDON
Three Dunedin women crafting and singing superb acoustic folk music that expresses the whole range of human emotions. Plucked wood geetars, a double bass, with violin often accompanied by three part harmony. An endearing do it yourself smoke fired folk and rootsy release of down home fare. Including the spine tingling OUR LITTLE TOWN recalling the Aramoana tragedy as found on the WRITE SONGS compilation. As well as live favs CAFE IN PARIS (complete with piano accordion), the food festive lyrics of SOUL KITCHEN and the MICHELLE SHOCKED like SHE. HILLINGDON Reviews, etc.

Other Titles Distributed by Yellow Eye . . .

9 419464 000050 : SCENE : DUNEDIN SOUNDS in TRAJECTORY
Released by Ratbrain Records, Dunedin, New Zealand, April Fools Day 1998.
SCENE is a musical slice of life featuring 14 tracks (5 bands contributing approximately 3 tracks each) created and recorded specifically for the project by prominent Dunedin bands : Southern grunge lords FOLD, the beat heavy bass driven RUNT, ancient mariners of prog rock HUMANIA, punksters DRUNK UNCLE, and the experimental soundscapes of SUKA.
For further information visit: www.skanky.co.nz

9 419464 000067 : SCENE2 : SOUNDS from the GARDEN of DUNEDIN
Released by Ratbrain Records, Dunedin, New Zealand, April Fools Day 2000. SCENE2 is the continuation of an audio-biographical experiment documenting the ever shifting paradigms of Dunedin's Underground Music Scene. SCENE2 contains 18 tracks (6 bands contributing 3 tracks each) created and recorded specifically for the project by prominent Dunedin Bands : The dance floor groovers 4 YEARS ON THE PLANET, tribal technicians ZUVUYA, the razor-sharp guitar madness of THE CLONES, MISSILE MOON (a Bailter Spacey Tripping Daisy), melodic guitar popsters MESTAR, and the funkadelic instrumentalists BLACK MAMBA AMBULANCE. For further information visit: www.skanky.co.nz

CLOWNDOG : CANTANKEROUS MAINSTREAM
CLOWNDOG have established themselves as arguably the hardest-working of all the South Island punk bands, with a rich vein of humour in their songs that belies the band's professional approach to their craft. Now comes the newest EP, entitled THE CANTANKEROUS MAINSTREAM, a seven-song release that sees CLOWNDOG's songwriting reach new levels. CANTANKEROUS MAINSTREAM Reviews.

QUINCEY McLEAN AND THE SMOOTH BASTARDS : FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES
Details the tales of love and hate, religion gone wrong, sex gone right, bad men and good women and all the other things that would drive a SMOOTH BASTARD to the edge. All told with QUINCEY�s characteristic whiskey blues charm. Eleven tracks of bloodstained blues, R'n'B or R'n'R in Saigon circa 1969, riffs that would wake keef before lunch, some rockapunkafunkabilly loitering with intent, damaged ballads and the kind of country that puts all the words back in. And of course plenty of hammond for the hipsters, some moog for the freaks and a healthy dash of sax, slide and pedal for the tongue at heart. FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES Reviews.

BLOOM : ADULT THEMES
A new Melbourne act introducing to us a fresh, original and quite different sound - pop noir. ADULT THEMES has recently been voted 'independent album of the year' by Planete Indie in Europe. From the brooding piano, strings and reverb guitar of SONG NOIR, and the lush, lazy trumpet-tinged groove of SLIDE RULE, through to the epic trip hop, gospel feel of SOULBURNT and the rolling jungle swagger of WASM, ADULT THEMES is a stunning debut. You can label BLOOM as very good, very smooth but once you listen closely to the words, surprisingly dark. It also features a cool STONES cover 2000 LIGHT YEARS FROM HOME and the BURT BACHARACH lounge number I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF. ADULT THEMES Reviews.