Sweet Smoke

Promotional Postcard for Sweet Smoke (top row: Jay, Jeffery, Mike, Andy, Rochus - bottom row: Steve, Marvin, Nico)

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 listed as a Krautrock band. In interviews, the group says their music was influenced by Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, John Coltrane and The Beatles. The group has a fan presence on the internet, and their CDs are sold worldwide by EMI International.

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 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 improvisation combined with their interests in Eastern and Psychedelic philosophies. The original members when they arrived in Germany were Andy Dershin (bass guitar), Michael Paris (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.

Sweet Smoke in 1974 with their Ford Transit van (from left to right: John, Rick, Andy, Enid, Marvin, Marty, Howie, Diane)

After recording Just a Poke, Sweet Smoke broke up temporarily, and 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. For the next several months the band volunteered in refuge camps helping survivors of the devastating 1970 cyclone in Bangladesh. 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 From Darkness to Light at EMI studios in Holland in 1973. Later in 1973, Jeffery Dershin and Michael Paris left the group, 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.

Personnel

Line-up Just a Poke (1970)

• Andy Dershin – bass guitar
• Jay Dorfman – drums, percussion
• Marvin Kaminovitz – lead guitar, vocals
• Michael Paris – tenor saxophone, alto recorder, vocals, percussion
• Steve Rosenstein – rhythm guitar, vocals

Line-up From Darkness to Light (1973)

• Andy Dershin – bass guitar
• Jay Dorfman – drums, percussion
• Marvin Kaminovitz – lead guitar, vocals
• Michael Paris – tenor saxophone, alto recorder, vocals, percussion
• Jeffrey Dershin - piano, percussion, vocals
• Steve Rosenstein - Guitar, Violin, Vocals

• Rochus Kuhn - violin, cello

Line-up Live (1974)

• Andy Dershin – bass guitar
• Jay Dorfman – drums, percussion
• Marvin Kaminovitz – lead guitar, vocals
• Rick Greenberg (aka Rick Rasa) - rhythm guitar, sitar
• John Classi - percussion, sound effects
• Martin Rosenberg - tambourra, percussion

Albums

• Just A Poke (1970)
• From Darkness To Light (1973)
• Sweet Smoke Live (1974)

References

• http://www.myspace.com/sweetsmoke1970

External links

• Official Website
• Fan site including statements from Sweet Smoke members
• Sweet Smoke at www.progarchives.com
• The Crack In The Cosmic Egg Krautrock Encyclopedia
• Sweet Smoke at Discogs