(03.30.06) THE label hosted some of the lushest electronica being made in the early 2000’s. Neo had a different feel to other electronica labels, like Morr Music or City Centre Offices. Neo Ouija had a much more soft approach, perhaps it was the influence of the Norfolk countryside on Lee. Norris started making music way back when, and gained a following of fans under names such as Metamatics, Norken and Nacht Plank. He has released on an array of labels, from the legendary Clear and Hydrogen Dukebox to appearing on one of the infamous MASK releases from Skam. After much consideration, Neo Ouija was born on the 1st of January, 2000. With a new millennium, a new record label was born. The first release saw Norris teaming up with a friend and former co-releaser on Clear, Clatterbox. The Project Unison LP was met with great praise; Clear was rising from the ashes, in the form of Neo Ouija and Defocus.
The label, despite a spartan number of releases between 2000 and 2002, developed a solid following. Neo Ouija, with its friendly message board, became a haven for up and coming electronic artists of the time. People such as Lackluster and Bauri were regulars to neochat, handing down sage advice to would be musicians. By 2002, Neo Ouija had released its showcase release, Cottage Industries. The CD only album featured artists like Phonem, Yunx and Quinoline Yellow. The label began to serve up a feast of lush electronic releases, by the like of Accelera Deck and Funckarma. In the same year, the label put into practice its dedication to release music by unknown artists. A double album by Adam M. Raisbeck, aka Sense, came out in late 2002. A View from a Vulnerable Place was an immediate hit with electronica lovers, complex, beautiful and moody soundscapes from a gifted new artist. Neo was showing it had what it takes, putting out music by recognized and unknown talent.
The label continued down the road it had carved for itself, releasing material from young new musicians, whilst getting the goods from those already established. New compilations, such as Annexe Cottage Industries, demonstrated the plethora of artists that Neo was in touch with, whilst introducing newcomers to the ears of the electronic fan.
But, sadly, time began to takes its toll on the label. Neo’s cousin label, Defocus, had fallen to the roadside in 2002. Expense began to become an overpowering issue. The label motored on, but the engine was in poor shape. Neo continued to put out quality music, but each release created new kinks in the mechanism. By 2005, the vehicle was in its last cycle. On the 10th of January, 2006, Neo Ouija finally closed its doors. After thirty releases of great electronica, which has been enjoyed around the world, Lee said enough and ended the label.
Neo, though it never achieved a massive status, was a quality label which was ran with a tremendous amount of love and care. It will be sorely missed.
For more info about Neo Ouija, visit their discography.
