![Borsetta – Automatic Lover – 1997 [r1564567]](https://neotericrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/R-2570160-1290967231.jpg)
If you spent any time on a dance floor in the UK during the 1990s, you’ll know that the music wasn’t just a background noise—it was an experience. It was a decade of neon lights, 12-inch vinyl, and a DIY spirit that turned local DJs into legends. Right at the heart of this movement was Neoteric Records Ltd.
Today, we’re taking a nostalgic look back at the label that helped soundtrack the UK house scene from the mid-90s into the early 2000s.
From the Midlands to the Mainstream
While London often gets the spotlight, the real pulse of 90s house music was felt in the regional clubs of Northern England, the Midlands, and the South East. Neoteric Records was born into this thriving culture. We weren’t just watching the scene grow; we were supplying the records that kept the energy moving.
Whether it was a packed warehouse in Leeds or a sleek club in Birmingham, the “NRL” catalog number on a record sleeve was a stamp of quality for DJs across the country.
The Hits That Defined Us
Every great label has those “standout” tracks that everyone remembers. For Neoteric, one of those moments came in 1996 with Chimera. Their reimagining of “You’re So Vain” (produced by the duo Martin Brooker and Rew) wasn’t just a club hit—it was our very first CD release (NRCD0001).
We followed that success with more floor-fillers, including:
Chimera’s “Falling Into You”: A 12″ vinyl staple that gave DJs multiple mixes to play with, ensuring the track stayed on the decks all night long.
Taboo featuring Maxine Richards: In the late 90s, we brought the house down with a high-energy cover of “Lady Marmalade.” Maxine’s powerhouse vocals perfectly captured the “Diva House” sound that was taking over the charts.
Vinyl, CDs, and the Neoteric Legacy
In an era before streaming, music was something you could hold in your hands. Neoteric Records took pride in that. We used a distinct cataloging system—NRL for our heavy vinyl releases and NRLCD for our fans who preferred the crisp sound of digital.
The label remained a dedicated independent force until the early 2000s, championing house, dance, and electronic genres. Though the clubs may have changed and the technology has evolved, the “Neoteric sound” remains a time capsule of a period when the music was loud, the spirits were high, and the house music scene was truly home.
Revisit the Classics
Want to hear the sound for yourself? You can check out some of our archival tracks on YouTube, like the iconic Lady Marmalade remix.
Are you a collector with an original NRL vinyl in your crates? We’d love to hear your memories of the label!