Some great news has been announced this afternoon, following some online rumours and speculation - Richard Wright’s debut solo album, Wet Dream, is to be reissued on vinyl for the first time since its original release in 1978 - this time in deep blue transparent marbled vinyl. It will also be available on streaming platforms for the first time ever including a new Dolby Atmos mix, on CD and on blu-ray which includes a 5.1 mix and never before released personal images and videos from around this period of his life.

To be released on July 28th - the date that would have been his 80th birthday - it will initially be made available on CD and all streaming platforms, with the vinyl being released on September 29th, and the Blu-ray edition of the album following on October 20th (November 10th in the US).

Remixed by Steven Wilson, this reissue comes with brand new artwork that was commissioned and art-directed by Gala and Jamie Wright, Richard's children and managers of his estate. As per the original release, the bi-fold sleeve folds out to extend the image and features the same vibrant colour palette. This time, the unidentified person in bright red shorts is swimming within deep blue waters of the sea rather than a pool and the image expands out to reveal a boat slightly out of their reach, referencing the nautical theme of the record. The image was taken by Costas Spathis, a photographer living and working in Greece, which is where the album was written and the graphic design is by Carl Glover. The original artwork was designed by Storm Thorgerson and photographed by Audrey Powell for Hipgnosis and features in the vinyl booklet.

Upon rediscovering this record, it becomes hugely apparent how much of Richard's DNA runs through Pink Floyd. His distinct rhythm patterns, song structure and style of play exudes throughout, shining a light on his unique talent and influence on modern music.

When originally released, post Pink Floyd's Animals (1977) and shortly before 1979's The Wall, Wet Dream was largely under-appreciated. Steven Wilson's mix is designed to give new life to the record demonstrating Wright's brilliance. Richard wrote and produced the whole album himself and it was one of only three albums he released outside of Pink Floyd, the others being Broken China, from 1996, and Identity, released in 1983 under the guise of Zee, a duet with Dave Harris from Fashion.

The Blu-ray edition of Wet Dream includes the Dolby Atmos mIx, a 5.1 surround mix (DTS-HD Master Audio 96/24), the new stereo mix in Hi-Res Audio (96/24), and exclusive personal videos along with a photo gallery. It's housed in a book format with four collectable postcards and an 8-page booklet.

UPDATE: due to feedback on the contents of the Blu-ray, it has been expanded to also include a flat transfer of the original pre-master of the 1978 stereo mix, taken from the analogue reels, as well as Steven Wilson's 2023 instrumental stereo mixes of the four vocal tracks on the album being added.

Here's a first taste of the album:

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