Time Machine is the fifth studio album by guitarist Joe Satriani, released on October 13, 1993, through Relativity Records and reissued in 1998 through Epic Records. It is a double-disc album: the first disc contains a selection of new tracks, outtakes and unreleased studio recordings, while the second disc is composed of live recordings from 1988 and 1992.
The album reached No. 95 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and remained on that chart for eight weeks, as well as reaching No. 72 in the Netherlands and No. 87 in Germany. "All Alone" was released as a single, reaching No. 21 on Billboards Mainstream Rock chart and receiving a nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 1995 Grammy Awards, along with "Speed of Light" at the 1994 Grammys, Satriani's fifth and sixth such nominations. Time Machine was certified Gold on October 27, 1994.
The album's 1998 reissue contains detailed liner notes explaining the story behind the content of both discs. 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". A fifth track from the EP, "Talk to Me", was not included due to its master tape being damaged.
The first disc was recorded in the following locations between 1984 and 1993:
Most of the above locations were also used to record and mix his 1992 album, The Extremist.
The second disc uses live recordings from three shows on the Extremist Tour and one show on the Surfing with the Alien tour. The recordings taken from the Extremist Tour are from the following shows:
The recording taken from the Surfing with the Alien tour is from the following show:
This show originally aired on the King Biscuit Flower Hour radio show on July 31, 1988. Three songs (Ice 9, Memories and Hordes of Locusts) were also used on the Dreaming #11 EP.
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). It was produced by Jeff Griffin and recorded by Mike Robinson.
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."