SHM-CD. JAPAN EXCLUSIVE 2017 EDITION |

[CDJAPAN] Finally. 13 rock masterpieces from U2 are going to be released as mini LP reissues with the high-fidelity SHM-CD format. These are, of course, Japan exclusive features.

Each cardboard sleeve faithfully replicates its UK (or EU) first pressing LP design, and some include detailed features such as inner sleeve and sticker. Also remastering years vary depending on title. Please make sure them on each product’s description.

[U2SONGS.COM] On July 2, 2017, Universal Japan announced that they would be re-releasing most of U2’s albums on SHM-CD for the first time. SHM-CD is a digital optical disc, with the same size as a regular compact disc. The biggest improvement in the disc is the use of a polycarbonate material that allows for less laser scatter during reading, producing fewer errors. SHM-CDs are capable of being played in a standard CD player. The digital information contained on the SHM-CD will be the same as that on a standard CD, the SHM-CD format just improves the ‘readability’ of this information. This is the first time that U2’s catalog has been available on SHM-CD. All of the albums have been issued in this format with the exception of Under a Blood Red Sky. The collection was originally planned for August 23, 2017, but was later pushed back to September 20, 2017.

The albums are each released in a cardboard sleeve, done up to resemble the first release on vinyl in Japan. These cardboard sleeves are sold inside a plastic resealable sleeve. The replications include OBI strips, and other features that match the early records including reproduction of inner sleeves, stickers on the sleeves etc.

When purchasing these in pre-order each copy came with a clear folder, provided by Universal Records, that folder was printed with artwork from all of the albums. As supplies of this folder dwindled, stores were providing one copy of the folder with three purchased CDs.

The releases in the set are the 2008-2011 remastered versions of the album if they were done on these pressings. Otherwise the master is the same as had been used to last release the CDs in 2008 in Japan.

A box set for this set with artwork from The Joshua Tree was produced for the store Disk Union in Japan. We are told that this box was produced for Disk Union itself and was not produced by Universal for promotion of this set. The box is an incentive to get customers to shop in their store, and Disk Union has produced boxes for many artists from many labels in the past.

The format was developed by Universal Music Japan and JVC. U2, of course, is signed with Universal Music. The format first started to be used in 2008.

List

Boy	UICI-9055	UPC: 4988031237267	2008 Remaster
October	UICI-9056	UPC: 4988031237274	2008 Remaster
War	UICI-9057	UPC: 4988031237281	2008 Remaster
The Unforgettable Fire	UICI-9058	UPC: 4988031237298	2009 Remaster
The Joshua Tree	UICI-9059	UPC: 4988031237304	2007 Remaster
Rattle and Hum	UICI-9060	UPC: 4988031237311	Original Master
Achtung Baby	UICI-9061	UPC: 4988031237328	2011 Master
Zooropa	UICI-9062	UPC: 4988031237335	2011 Master
Pop	UICI-9063	UPC: 4988031237342	Original Master
All That You Can’t Leave Behind	UICI-9064	UPC: 4988031237359	Original Master
How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb	UICI-9065	UPC: 4988031237366	Original Master
No Line on the Horizon	UICI-9066	UPC: 4988031237373	Original Master
Songs of Innocence	UICI-9067	UPC: 4988031237380	Original Master
Songs of Experience	UICI-9068	UPC 4988031312551	Original Master