Labels EMI International | Website sweetsmokeband.com | |
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Years active 1967 (1967)–1974 (1974) Past members Andy Dershin
Jay Dorfman
Marvin Kaminovitz
Michael Fontana
Steve Rosenstein
Jeffrey Dershin
Rochus Kuhn
Rick Greenberg
John Classi
Martin Rosenberg Origin Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States (1967) Members Jay Dorfman, Marvin Kaminovitz, Steve Rosenstein Genres Psychedelic rock, Jazz fusion Albums Just a Poke, From Darkness to Light, Live, Just a Poke / Darkness to Light, Sweet Smoke | ||
Sweet smoke just a poke full album
Sweet Smoke were a psychedelic jazz-rock band formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1967. The group moved to Europe in 1969, living in Germany, and performing in Germany, Holland and France until 1974 when the band split up. Initially, some members stayed in Europe, some went to India, but most of the band returned to the United States. Although originating in the U.S., Sweet Smoke is often referred to as a Krautrock band. Noted for their buoyant rhythms, inventive improvisations and complex musical structures, in interviews, the group says their music was influenced by Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, John Coltrane and The Beatles.
Contents
- Sweet smoke just a poke full album
- Sweet smoke just a poke part 1
- History
- Line up Just a Poke 1970
- Line up Darkness to Light 1973
- Line up Sweet Smoke Live 1974
- Discography
- Songs
- References
Sweet smoke just a poke part 1
History
After their first performances in the U.S. and the Caribbean, the group moved to Germany and formed a commune in a farm house in the village of Hüthum, outside the city of Emmerich, about a kilometer from the border with Holland. The group became well known in the region on and off the stage for their mixture of spirited musical performances combined with their interests in Eastern and Psychedelic philosophies. The original members when they arrived in Germany were Andy Dershin (bass guitar), Michael Fontana (tenor saxophone, alto recorder, vocals, percussion), Jay Dorfman (drums, percussion), Marvin Kaminowitz (lead guitar, vocals) and Victor Sacco (guitar). Victor would soon be replaced by Steve Rosenstein (rhythm guitar, vocals). In 1970 the group was approached by EMI, and they recorded their first LP, Just a Poke with German record producer Konrad "Conny” Plank.
After recording Just a Poke, Sweet Smoke took a year off to travel. Most of the group drove the band’s Ford Transit van overland to India for a spiritual journey in connection with the socio-spiritual group Ananda Marga. The group first learned of the success of Just a Poke, after meeting German tourists in Nepal. They returned to Europe, signed a new recording contract with EMI, and added Jeffrey Dershin (piano, percussion, vocals) as a full-time member. The group recorded their second LP Darkness to Light at EMI studios in Holland in 1973. Later in 1973, Jeffery Dershin returned home to assume his role as a father, Michael Fontana left the group to return to India, and Steve Rosenstein was replaced by Rick Greenberg, aka Rick Rasa (rhythm guitar, sitar, vocals).
Near the end of 1974, the group broke up for the final time. They played their last performance in the concert hall of the music conservatory Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. The concert was recorded by EMI and became the group’s last LP, Sweet Smoke Live.
Line-up Just a Poke (1970)
Line-up Darkness to Light (1973)
Line-up Sweet Smoke Live (1974)
Discography
Albums
Songs
Silly SallyJust a Poke · 1970
Baby NightJust a Poke · 1970
First JamLive · 1974