It compiles the octet's complete recorded output made between 1946 and 1950, which was originally released in other forms.

[3] The first 10 songs on the compilation were recorded between 1946 and 1948 and were released starting in 1950 by Fantasy under the title Old Sounds From San Francisco, first as two EPs then as a single 10-inch LP.

The final eight tracks were recorded in 1950 and first released on a 10-inch LP in 1956 under the title Distinctive Rhythm Instrumentals.

Later in 1956, Fantasy compiled the tracks from Old Sounds From San Francisco and Distinctive Rhythm Instrumentals and issued the Dave Brubeck Octet album as a 12-inch LP.

[4] Fantasy re-issued the Distinctive Rhythm Instrumentals album in its original 10-inch red vinyl format for Record Store Day 2012.