tracks 21 to 26 alto saxophone, piano Ian Underwood
arranged by Frank Zappa
tracks 21 to 26 baritone saxophone, tambourine Motorhead Sherwood
tracks 21 to 26 bass, vocals Roy Estrada
tracks 1 to 4, 6 to 18, 20 to 35 composed by Frank Zappa
design [package design & switzerland] Cal Schenkel
tracks 21 to 26 drums Jimmy Carl Black
tracks 21 to 26 drums, percussion Art Tripp
tracks 21 to 26 electric piano, noises [odd noises] Don Preston
tracks 21 to 26 guitar, vocals Frank Zappa
layout [graphic engineer] Steven Jurgensmeyer
liner notes Frank Zappa
liner notes [additional] G. Whillikens
mastered by Toby Mountain
producer Frank Zappa
research [archival ephemera] David Baker
tracks 21 to 26 tenor saxophone, clarinet Bunk Gardner
Published By Munchkin Music
Published By Frank Zappa Music
Published By Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.
Published By Windswept Pacific Songs
Phonographic Copyright (p) Rykodisc
Copyright (c) Rykodisc
Copyright (c) Zappa Family Trust
Recorded At Studio Z (3)
Mastered At Northeastern Digital
Pressed By MPO
Mystery Disc compiles tracks originally released on two separate vinyl records that were included in the mail order Old Masters box sets (Box One released April 1985 and Box Two released November 1986).
The CD omits two tracks from the box sets, Why Don'tcha Do Me Right? and Big Leg Emma, both of which were included on the CD version of Absolutely Free (tracks 8 & 9).
These recordings cover the early stages of Zappa's career, and were made between 1962 and 1969 (with the exception of The Story of Willie the Pimp, recorded in 1972). (See scans for further details).
Tracks 1, 12 & 29 are also on Lost Episodes (tracks 1 & 12 in slightly different versions), tracks 21 to 26 are edits of Ahead of Their Time material, and track 32 is a different edit of a You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore #5 track.

Notes written by Frank Zappa © 1998 The Zappa Family Trust.

All selections controlled worldwide by Munchkin Music (ASCAP) or Frank Zappa Music (BMI), except track 5 published by Screen-Gems EMI Music Publishing (BMI) and track 19 published by Windswept Pacific Songs (BMI).

Artwork © 1998 Zappa Family Trust.

℗ & © 1998 Rykodisc.
The green-tinted jewel box is a registered trademark of Rykodisc.
Manufactured and printed in the USA.

Mastered at Northeastern Digital Recording.

Some of the original early recordings, such as those with Beefheart, were made at Studio Z (not credited on the release itself).

Copies were released with a small paper wrap-around on top of the jewel case.
Barcode: 0 14431 05802 8 (Text)
Barcode: 014431058028 (String)
Matrix / Runout: RCD 10580 MPO 01 @@@ 9 02 (Variant 1)
Matrix / Runout: RCD 10580 MPO 01 @@@ 9 01 (Variant 2)
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L033 (Variant 1, Variant 2)
Mould SID Code: IFPI 1206 (Variant 1)
Mould SID Code: IFPI 1216 (Variant 2)