On April 23rd, 2014, three Syd Barrett albums are being released on the enhanced SHM-CD format. SHM-CD refers to Super High Material CD, an enhanced audio CD format developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan. A SHM-CD is made of an enhanced transparency polycarbonate material developed for use in LCD screens, which allows for better manufacturing quality and more accurate reading of the CD surface by a CD player laser, so promise better sound and audio resolution. SHM-CDs are compatible with standard CD players.

The three Syd Barrett albums - debut album The Madcap Laughs, the follow-up Barrett, and the compilation Opel (which featured previously unreleased material and alternate takes) - are being released in a limited pressing. They all come in cardboard sleeves, replicas of the original vinyl releases, and benefit from 2014 remastering, so should sound particularly good.

They can all be pre-ordered through Amazon Japan for worldwide shipping. Other Japanese CD retailers will also have these on offer. Our thanks to Kees Nijpels for tipping us off about these new, limited releases.