As the title implies, this is the Art Ensemble in a formative stage. Three parts Roscoe Mitchell Art Ensemble and three parts Joseph Jarman quartet. "A To Ericka" was recorded for submission to a Jazz Festival in Poland and was not successful in landing them a ticket to Europe. "Quintet" was a dress rehearsal for a concert that was cancelled on the day of this recording. Luckily both performances survived on tape to reach a much larger audience than the concerts could have provided. Both pieces were originally included in the limited edition "Art Ensemble 1967/68" box set.