A final wheeze from the dying major label dinosaurs?

Or an opportunity to hear “the full richness and depth of an artist’s vision”? Universal Music Group has revealed details of its new ‘High Fidelity Pure Audio’ range, a selection of physical releases from the UMG catalogue that use Blu-ray technology for an enhanced audio experience.

Music by the likes of Amy Winehouse (pictured), Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder and Nirvana, plus a selection of classical and jazz albums, will be available in the new format from the end of this month. Each purchase will also come with a download code to grab the album on MP3.

However, as The Register point out, HFPA albums are basically audio-only Blu-rays. The extra capacity the format provides is used to store information on PCM, Dolby True HD and/or DTS HD Master Audio at 2.0 and 5.1 surround sound – but many of the recordings being offered in the new format will have been recorded in stereo only anyway, given their age.

In addition, while the HFPA albums are compatible with Blu-ray players, computers and PlayStation 3 consoles, you’d need a serious speaker set-up to feel the benefit anyway. Laptop or TV speakers just won’t cut it.

Well, there’s one way to find out – the first HFPA releases will be out on October 21 through Universal, priced around £10 to £15. [via CMU]