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. 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 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, Michael
Fontana, Jay Dorfman, Marvin Kaminowitz
and Victor Sacco. Victor would soon be
replaced by Steve Rosenstein. 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 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.
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 =
Andy Dershin – bass guitar
Jay Dorfman – drums, percussion
Marvin Kaminovitz – lead guitar, vocals
Michael Fontana – tenor saxophone, alto
recorder, vocals, percussion
Steve Rosenstein – rhythm guitar, vocals
= Line-up Darkness to Light =
Andy Dershin – bass guitar
Jay Dorfman – drums, percussion
Marvin Kaminovitz – lead guitar, vocals
Michael Paris – tenor saxophone, alto
recorder, vocals, percussion
Steve Rosenstein - Guitar, Violin,
Vocals
Jeffrey Dershin - piano, percussion,
vocals
Rochus Kuhn - violin, cello
= Line-up Sweet Smoke Live =
Andy Dershin – bass guitar
Jay Dorfman – drums, percussion
Marvin Kaminovitz – lead guitar, vocals
Rick Greenberg - rhythm guitar, sitar
John Classi - percussion, sound effects
Martin Rosenberg - tambourra, percussion
Albums 
Just a Poke
Darkness to Light
Sweet Smoke Live
References 
External links 
Official Website
Sweet Smoke's MySpace page
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
