Albums Have Been Mastered Specifically for iTunes To Optimize Sound Quality

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --­ Universal Music Group announced today that albums from popular Universal artists such as Madonna, Paul McCartney, Kaori Muraji, U2, John Coltrane and Bon Jovi are now Mastered for iTunes, giving music fans even higher quality audio recordings from their favorite artists. Mastered for iTunes albums are mastered specifically with the iTunes format in mind, ensuring the delivery of the music to listeners with increased audio fidelity, more closely replicating what the artists, recording engineers, and producers intended.

These new recordings are mastered using high-resolution sourced audio to provide fans with an incredibly rich listening experience, taking advantage of the dynamic range enabled by the iTunes format. Music fans can access many of today's most anticipated albums including Madonna's "MDNA," Paul McCartney's "Kisses On The Bottom" and Japanese Classical Guitarist Kaori Muraji's "Soleil - Portraits 2." Other albums on offer include favorites such as U2's "Achtung Baby," John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" as well as Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" and "Have a Nice Day."

In addressing her fans, Kaori Muraji said, "I really enjoyed making my recording "Soleil - Portraits 2" in Air Studios which was built by George Martin in London. It has wonderful acoustics and a nice atmosphere which you can now hear even better on this high-quality audio version with iTunes. Here in this album you can listen to a number of different styles of music. I hope you will enjoy it."

Universal Music Group Mastered for iTunes titles can be found at www.itunes.com/masteredforitunes.

SOURCE Universal Music Group