Is the original music on this album any different than the arcade tracks on the next Area 88 album? Other than the Round 5 Arrange, is there anything on here that isn't on the next Area 88 album?

Nope, other than the arrangement, all the tracks on this one are included on the later release as well.

Does the Takashi Tateishi composition credit come from correspondence with him or something? The albums and game credit all music to Manami Matsumae/Gotoh.

Yes, correspondence. It turns out there was a lot of secret collaboration and sharing at the old Capcom sound team. I think that might explain Yoko Shimomura's mountain of uncredited works too. More soon!

It seems like this album has been EQ'd slightly compared to the original music. At least the rip at vgmrips.net has less bass than this album. I prefer how this album sounds, but it might not be 100% true to the original, if anyone cares about that.