[11] Five tracks were originally recorded during the sessions for The Extremist (1992): "Crazy", "Banana Mango II", "Thinking of You", "Speed of Light" (featured on the soundtrack to the 1993 film Super Mario Bros.) and "Baroque".

Four other tracks were previously released on Satriani's 1984 self-titled EP: "Banana Mango", "Dreaming #11", "I Am Become Death" and "Saying Goodbye".

According to a 2014 interview with Joe for MusicRadar.com, the Roseland Ballroom show in New York City (December 5, 1992) was also recorded for this album but wasn't used.

The Hammersmith Apollo show was recorded for and broadcast by BBC Radio 1 on May 1, 1993, and repeated on October 23, 1993 (both times at 19:30).

Phil Carter at AllMusic gave Time Machine 4.5 stars out of five, calling it "an excellent double-CD set providing something for just about everyone who's interested in Joe Satriani's music" and that "this set of recordings makes an excellent starting point for new fans and will give longtime fans something new as well.