Review by Bejamin Miler
Sweet Smoke is often thrown in the Krautrock bunch, when in reality,
they were American. The band came from New York City, but they moved to
Germany. The band consisted of lead guitarist/vocalist Marvin
Kaminowitz, rhythm guitarist/vocalist Steve Rosenstein, bassist Andy
Dershin, drummer Jay Dorfman, and saxist/flutist Michael Paris. Their
music is quite different from what most other American bands in the late
'60s and early '70s,
they're more of an early prog rock band, of the kind
that still had psychedelic leanings. There's also a jazzy element from
time to time, especially in the sax department. Just a Poke, originally
released in 1970 on EMI/Columbia (if I'm not mistakened, the album also
received a French and Dutch release), is their first album. The album
only consisted of two side-length cuts. The track listenings are a bit
messed up, as it's commonly believed the album starts with "Baby Night"
and ends with "Silly Sally", when in fact, it's the other way around. I
own the original LP, which the back cover states that side one was
"Silly Sally" and "Baby Night" was side two, although to confuse
matters, the record label states the opposite. The back cover of the LP
is correct. "Silly Sally" starts off almost medieval-sounding, complete
with recorder. It starts off pretty mellow, with vocals, from Marvin
Kaminowitz. Eventually the music picks up, and goes in to an extended
guitar jam, before going in to an uncredited cover of the Doors' "Soft
Parade", before going back to a variation of the opening theme. "Silly
Sally" has a bit of a more bluesy feel, where they put a bit more
emphasis on rhythm. The band then turns to an In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida like
drum solo, then they go in to percussion overdrive. So, while Sweet
Smoke is often thrown in the Krautrock bunch, there is really nothing
musically in common to say Can, Ash Ra Tempel, Amon Düül II, early
Tangerine Dream, Neu, Faust, etc. Basically, their music is recommended
if you like early prog and psych.
Line-up 1970 (Just A Poke)
Andrew Dershin – bass guitar
Michael Paris – tenor saxophone, alto recorder, vocals, percussion
Jay Dorfman – percussion and drums
Marvin Kaminovitz – lead guitar, vocals
Steve Rosenstein – rhythm guitar, vocals
Side one
1. Baby Night 16:24
Side two
1. Silly Sally 16:22
~Enjoy~
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