All Things Hat

[Chuck Nessa]

The NYAQ collection omits 2 tracks from Mohawk.

[colinmce]

4 hours ago, Chuck Nessa said:

The NYAQ collection omits 2 tracks from Mohawk.

Ah you’re right, it was harder to read on bandcamp. Again completing a widely available date in favor of cutting a rare one. More pointless decisions. 

[mjzee]

3 hours ago, colinmce said:

Ah you’re right, it was harder to read on bandcamp. Again completing a widely available date in favor of cutting a rare one. More pointless decisions. 

Did they hire Orrin Keepnews?

[Chuck Nessa]

Shoplifters miss stuff when they grab and run.

[Late]

From Hat's website:

The legendary Swiss music label Hat Hut Records, renowned for its groundbreaking releases in contemporary and improvised music, is entering a new era after half a century.

Musician Marco von Orelli and communications specialist Melanie Imhof have taken the helm and aim to carry forward the remarkable legacy of founder Werner X. Uehlinger, infusing it with fresh ideas and renewed energy. They are joined in this endeavor by Swiss saxophone pioneer Co Streiff, and by long-time companion of the label Christian C. Dalucas.

“I was immediately captivated by the innovative spirit of the catalogue, combined with WXU’s outstanding contributions to the avant-garde scene since 1975. I was also deeply impressed by the clear, almost austere visual language of the cover art. Each release is a collector’s item,” explains Marco von Orelli. And he adds: “Hat Hut stands for independent music and visionary artists – and that’s how it should stay.”

“The music market is changing rapidly, and the way music is consumed today presents an exciting challenge,” von Orelli continues.

The story of one of the most influential independent labels continues—with respect for the past and a clear vision for the future.

I contacted the label recently, and Imhof got back to me (polite and professional) the very next day.

[Gheorghe]

I never did see that thread.

Someone mentioned "Willisau"

I remember that Festival ! 

Did this label or any other label record Mingus´ performance in Willisau ? It might have been in the second half of the 70´s, I still didn´t have a driving licence, was maybe 16 years old and some older hippies took me there that´s how I went to see foreign festivals. 

Now, did that Label Hat Hut record that ? I think it would be a milestone in jazz history

[Pim]

17 hours ago, Late said:

From Hat's website:

 

The legendary Swiss music label Hat Hut Records, renowned for its groundbreaking releases in contemporary and improvised music, is entering a new era after half a century.

Musician Marco von Orelli and communications specialist Melanie Imhof have taken the helm and aim to carry forward the remarkable legacy of founder Werner X. Uehlinger, infusing it with fresh ideas and renewed energy. They are joined in this endeavor by Swiss saxophone pioneer Co Streiff, and by long-time companion of the label Christian C. Dalucas.

“I was immediately captivated by the innovative spirit of the catalogue, combined with WXU’s outstanding contributions to the avant-garde scene since 1975. I was also deeply impressed by the clear, almost austere visual language of the cover art. Each release is a collector’s item,” explains Marco von Orelli. And he adds: “Hat Hut stands for independent music and visionary artists – and that’s how it should stay.”

“The music market is changing rapidly, and the way music is consumed today presents an exciting challenge,” von Orelli continues.

The story of one of the most influential independent labels continues—with respect for the past and a clear vision for the future.

I contacted the label recently, and Imhof got back to me (polite and professional) the very next day.

Okay now lets hope they leave all the catologues alone that they don't own and focus on their own magnificent legacy. There must be great unreleased stuff on the vaults by Joe McPhee, Steve Lacy etc.

Edited December 31, 2025 by Pim

[clifford_thornton]

12 hours ago, Gheorghe said:

I never did see that thread.

Someone mentioned "Willisau"

I remember that Festival ! 

Did this label or any other label record Mingus´ performance in Willisau ? It might have been in the second half of the 70´s, I still didn´t have a driving licence, was maybe 16 years old and some older hippies took me there that´s how I went to see foreign festivals. 

Now, did that Label Hat Hut record that ? I think it would be a milestone in jazz history

Hat Hut would not have recorded that, but the Festival itself has an archive and it could be there.

I *believe* that McPhee got his tapes back from Werner. I don't know whether the Lacy material was returned/sold back to Irène. Extras from Clinkers were issued by Roaratorio (duo with Lacy/McPhee) as an EP titled The Rest.

[Late]

On 12/31/2025 at 8:06 AM, Pim said:

Okay now let's hope they leave all the catologues alone that they don't own and focus on their own magnificent legacy. There must be great unreleased stuff on the vaults by Joe McPhee, Steve Lacy etc.

🤜👏🤛

[Holy Ghost]

Hat Hut/Hat Art, etc, released some absolutely amazing music. Don't understand this "reissue" program diggin' into the BN, etc., catalogues. I'm not a European lawyer, not knowing European copyright laws, but I guess it's on the grab on the market over there. 

[clifford_thornton]

FWIW the Reference: Albert Ayler CD is pretty fucking excellent.

[Late]

15 minutes ago, clifford_thornton said:

The Reference: Albert Ayler CD...

Here.

[Д.Д.]

Wehner H. Uehlinger, what a guy!

First, he sells the released Hat Hut catalog items to Outhere in 2017. There is a press release that he would work "closely" with Outhere with "12-16 new Hat Hut releases per year". This never happens. Instead, in 2019 he restarts Hat Hut - rebranded ezz-thetics - with some questionable reissues from other labels' catalogs (admittedly in excellent sound) and some (good) music by contemporary musicians. In 2025, he sells this new Hat Hut / ezz-thetics label. But why retire at 90? He immediately starts this AlAy imprint with more semi-shady reissues (Armstrong Hot Fives / Sevens anyone?). And he gets to keep the unreleased Hat Hut archives! He has a three-year non-compete with Hat Hut / ezz-thetics not to release any music by what he refers to as "living musicians". So what does he do? He immediately releases a recording by Mike Westbrook, who is definitely still "living" (might not be a "musician" any longer, I am not sure).

Don't get me wrong, I am most grateful to Mr. Uehlinger for all this manic hyperactivity of the last decade. I got a lot of ezz-thetics releases of the "living musicians" and they all are uniformly strong. I even got one ezz-thetics reissue (Coltrane 1965 - and yes, it does sound way better than the 2005 impulse! release)! But is it possible to be productive without creating so much mess? I honestly don't know, maybe not...

I guess that Hat Hut under new ownership (I wish they dropped the dreadful "ezz-thetics" thing) will focus on new music - which is good news, as far as I am concerned. I am curious what they will do with the already released "public domain" ezz-thetics reissues. I see their bandcamp page (curiously titled "Werner's ezz-thetics", by the way) has some, but not all of them. 

And as for Werner H. Uehlinger, he will do whatever the fuck he wants!                          

Edited 7 hours ago by Д.Д.

[clifford_thornton]

the old days of Hat were much easier to follow. Now, not so much! Westbrook is indeed very much alive, at least the last time I checked...

at least the Ayler I mentioned above is in very good sound, considering the source material. Folwell and Harris/Graves really pop out of the mix, and I didn't hear any extraneous mastering artifacts. Very little mud.