Released this week, The Great New Zealand Songbook: Volume 2 brings to 80 the number of tracks sourced from Kiwi artists. Again, the double-disc collection is split into "this century" and "last century", a loose criterion that allowed Thom and fellow producer Tim Harper to pick and choose their favourite songs.
"We never said to ourselves, 'what would the market like?"' Thom says. "We didn't do any market research. We were very much swayed by what we love."
Thus the pop shimmer of Bic Runga mingles with the rock 'n' roll of Ray Columbus and the Invaders; DLT's hip-hop gives way to the rock riffs of Shihad; Dave Dobbyn's drawl precedes the angular new wave of Mi-Sex; and the reggae vibe of Katchafire fades as Opshop rounds out the compilation. Simply put, it's an eclectic selection.
One thing's for sure: "We are not going to do another album," Thom says.
Arguably, it would be difficult to justify a third in the series, particularly given the existence of another three-set compilation of New Zealand pop, namely Nature's Best, Vols 1-3. Not surprisingly, there is duplication between those discs and The Great New Zealand Songbook series; 40 songs to be precise.
Yet that hasn't stopped the public lapping up the first instalment. Since its release in May last year, The Great New Zealand Songbook: Volume 1 has gone eight times platinum - 120,000 sold.
"That's big numbers," Thom says. "The thing that made it a winner was the use of the iconic Four Square man. I think people warmed to that. I think [New Zealand artist] Dick Frizzell's interpretation of the man with a guitar and the fact we did this century and last century appealed.
"It's one of the few albums I've been associated with that has been purchased for a 21st present but also for a 50th present."
Unlike its follow-up (a CD-only release), the first volume includes a premium edition featuring a bright red box and hardcover book of lyrics, photos, drawings and artist anecdotes.
In an age of digital downloads, it offers a bold tactile experience.
"We went 180 degrees on that one and people just loved it," Thom says. "The association, historically, between music and art has always been strong.
"The premium edition of the songbook, the red book, took nine months to put together. With Volume 2, it still took a bit of time. It is the track selection that takes the most time."
Released by Thom's own imprint, Thom Music, but licensed and distributed by Sony, the various tracks encompass a range of other labels. However, he encountered few issues in obtaining copyright clearance.
"For Volume 1, no-one made a sound whatsoever. We got 100% clearance. For Volume 2, the one we asked for but didn't get was The Naked and Famous. The reason they turned us down is they have their own first album coming out about now and I think they didn't want people cherry-picking that one track. I respected their reasoning."
Thom is a veteran of the New Zealand music industry. In the mid-'80s, at the age of 23, he was managing director of CBS Records New Zealand, later bought by Sony.
Although he left that role to pursue other business interests, including introducing personalised number plates to New Zealand, he returned to music and started his boutique label.
It might be little known here, but Thom Music has moved vast numbers of albums: the two volumes of Carl Doy's Piano by Candlelight series have sold 3 million copies around the world; other ventures include producing the Together collection, a 10-album series featuring the music of Doy combined with images from the acclaimed M. I. L. K photo collection.
From his vantage point, Thom has watched the ebb and flow of New Zealand music, seen artists battle for recognition until, now, they cram the airwaves.
"In the early '80s ... there was an incredibly high cringe factor. Now, radio can do the quota on its ear. We have a really healthy local music scene."
• The Great New Zealand Songbook: Volume 2 (Thom Music/Sony) is out now.
