SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke France 12" Vinyl LP Album
- A Psychedelic Jazz-Rock Journey from America to the Heart of Krautrock
Sweet Smoke's "Just a Poke," the 1970 krautrock odyssey, made its mark with the French release on a 12" Vinyl LP Album. Originating from the United States, the band's fusion of jazz and psychedelia catapulted them into the avant-garde of European rock. The album's vinyl legacy endures as a revered piece of krautrock history.
In the intricate tapestry of krautrock, Sweet Smoke emerged as pioneers, and their debut album "Just a Poke" stands as a mesmerizing testament to their sonic exploration. The French release of this 12" Vinyl LP Album in 1970 marked the beginning of Sweet Smoke's journey into the realms of progressive and psychedelic rock.
Transatlantic Roots: Sweet Smoke's Krautrock Odyssey from the United States
Originating from the United States, Sweet Smoke's transatlantic roots laid the foundation for a unique blend of musical influences. The band's migration to Europe, particularly Germany, placed them at the epicenter of the krautrock movement—a genre characterized by experimentalism and a departure from conventional rock norms.
"Just a Poke": Krautrock's Inaugural Reverie
Recorded and released in 1970, "Just a Poke" catapulted Sweet Smoke into the forefront of krautrock innovation. The album's fusion of jazz, rock, and psychedelic elements set it apart, offering listeners a sonic journey that transcended the boundaries of traditional rock music.
The French release of the album introduced Sweet Smoke's genre-defying sound to European audiences, solidifying their place in the pantheon of krautrock pioneers. The vinyl LP format added a tactile dimension to the auditory adventure, creating an immersive experience for listeners.
Legacy of Sonic Alchemy: "Just a Poke" and Krautrock's Ongoing Resonance
While Sweet Smoke may not have achieved mainstream success, "Just a Poke" gained a cult following among aficionados of krautrock and progressive rock. The album's French release remains a cherished artifact, sought after by collectors eager to grasp the essence of Sweet Smoke's early sonic experimentation.
Music Genre:
KrautRock, Psych/Acid, Prog
Album Production Information:
The album: "SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (France)" was produced by: Rosie Schmitz and Winfried Ebert.
Sound engineers: Conrad (Connie) Plank, Klaus Lohmer.
Liner photo: Joachim Hassenburs.
Cover design by Jan Fijnheer '70
Record Label & Catalognr:
Columbia 2C 066-28 886
Record Format:
12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
Year & Country:
1978 France
Transcript of the liner notes:
Nay — Sweet Smoke is neither a new cigarette nor an invitation to smoke hashish. Sweet Smoke — originally Sweet Smoke of the Happy Plant Pipeful — is a new band with Michael Paris (Saxophone and Vocals), Andy Dershin (Bass Guitar), Marvin Kami-nowitz (Lead Guitar and Vocals), Jay Dorf-man (Drums, Percussion) and Steve Rosen-stein (Rhythm Guitar). It has become popular to pretend that each new group has a particular, individual sound, though they may sound like all the other bands. The particular quality of the Sweet Smoke is their instrumental perfection, the rhytmical versatility and the wealth of harmonic invention. The music of Sweet Smoke reveals tension and inner logic, and it is up-to-date.
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (France)
Band-members, Musicians and Performers on "Just a Poke"
Marvin Kaminowitz – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Steve Rosenstein – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Andy Dershin – Bass Guitar
Michael Paris – Tenor Saxophone, Alto Recorder, Vocals, Percussion
Jay Dorfman – Drums, Percussion
Complete Track-listing of the album "SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (France)"
The detailed tracklist of this record "SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (France)" is:
Track-listing Side One:
Silly Sally
Track-listing Side Two:
Baby Night
High Resolution and Quality Photos of Complete Album Covers "SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (France)"
This striking 1970 album cover of SWEET SMOKE – Just a Poke (French pressing) is a vibrant explosion of psychedelic imagery, designed by Jan Fijnheer. Dominating the center is a surreal, oversized hand shaded in vivid blues with exaggerated tubular fingers and green fingernails. The hand is clasped as if holding a striped pipe, which emits swirling flames marked with red, orange, and yellow patterns. The pipe stem is decorated like the American flag.
Above, a face with soft pink features and closed eyes leans downward, merging visually with the hand and pipe. To the left, another stylized face stares directly outward with haunting green eyes. This face is crowned with a jewel-adorned headband, suggesting a mystical or Eastern influence. Behind it, a night sky with a crescent moon, stars, and an architectural dome resembling a mosque evokes a dreamy, celestial setting.
On the right side, a colorfully plumed bird, reminiscent of a peacock or phoenix, perches amid the clouds. Above the bird, the album title Just a Poke is written in bold lettering on a black background, surrounded by more colorful flourishes and abstract shapes.
At the bottom left, the band’s name Sweet Smoke appears in thick, cloud-like white letters, curling through a swirl of soft pink and grey smoke. The entire scene is dreamlike and fantastical, rich with symbolic layering and unmistakably rooted in the psychedelic visual culture of the early 1970s.
Album Back Cover Photo of "SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (France)"
This is the back cover of the French 1978 reissue of SWEET SMOKE – Just a Poke, printed and published in France by Pathé Marconi EMI. The design is minimalist, with black text laid out clearly on a white background, emphasizing clarity and focus on the album’s contents.
At the top right, a yellow box displays the French price code "⦿ CODE 65" and the year 1971, even though this reissue was pressed in 1978. The top left lists catalog references: PM 251 and 2C 066-28.886.
The central portion presents a block of liner notes introducing the band as “Sweet Smoke of the Happy Plant Pipeful,” clarifying the origin of the name and highlighting the group’s musical identity. It praises their rhythmic versatility, instrumental perfection, and harmonic richness.
Beneath the text are the track listings: Side A: Silly Sally Side B: Baby Night
The musicians are credited at the lower center:
Michael Paris – sax., voc., fl.
Andy Dershin – bass
Marvin Kaminowitz – git., voc.
Jay Dorfman – dr., perc.
Steve Rosenstein – git.
At the bottom, the album title SWEET SMOKE – JUST A POKE appears in bold uppercase letters, followed by a production credit to Pathé Marconi EMI with the note “Réédition de 1978.”
Photo of "SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (France)" 12" LP Record - Side One:
This close-up image shows the record label of Side One of the French pressing of SWEET SMOKE – Just a Poke, released on Columbia with catalog number 2C 066-28.886. The label features a striking gradient background transitioning from lavender purple at the top to a cool blue at the bottom.
The iconic Columbia logo is faintly overlaid across the center with its musical note symbol in a soft, semi-transparent violet. The track listed is “Baby Night”, a 16-minute and 24-second suite composed and performed by Sweet Smoke.
Surrounding the center hole, the label displays key technical information: “33 1/3 tours minute” (33 1/3 RPM), “STEREO,” and “Made in France by Pathé Marconi EMI.” Rights society logos for SACEM, SDRM, and SACD appear on the left. The matrix number C 066 - 28.886 A is clearly printed beneath the SACEM mark.
The outer ring includes legal text in French prohibiting unauthorized duplication or public performance, a common feature on French pressings. The overall layout is minimalistic but elegant, characteristic of early 1970s Columbia France labels.
Photo of "SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (France)" 12" LP Record - Side Two:
This image shows the label of Side Two of the French pressing of SWEET SMOKE – Just a Poke, released under Columbia catalog number 2C 066-28.886. The design continues the label’s signature aesthetic: a smooth gradient shifting from lavender purple to sky blue with a semi-transparent Columbia logo across the center.
The featured track is “Silly Sally”, clocking in at 16 minutes and 22 seconds. The text is crisp and well-aligned in black uppercase, clearly indicating the track title, band name, and authorship by Sweet Smoke.
The upper right shows the stereo designation and side number “2” printed prominently next to the catalog number. On the left, the SACEM logo appears alongside the matrix number C 066 - 28.886 B, and the RPM speed “33 1/3 tours minute” is noted just above.
The outer edge includes a French legal warning in white text, prohibiting unauthorized reproduction, lending, or public performance. The record’s perimeter also notes that it was “Made in France by Pathé Marconi EMI,” confirming its status as a French edition.
Sweet Smoke's "Just a Poke," the 1970 krautrock odyssey, made its mark with the French release on a 12" Vinyl LP Album. Originating from the United States, the band's fusion of jazz and psychedelia catapulted them into the avant-garde of European rock. The album's vinyl legacy endures as a revered piece of krautrock history.
This is the Frence relase of "Just a Poke" is the first album by the Krautrock band "Sweet Smoke", this album was recorded shortly after the band moved from the USA to Germany. "Just a Poke" was released in 1970, engineered by Conny Plank.
"Sweet Smoke Live," the final testament of the American Prog Rock, Krautrock, and Stoner Rock band, immortalizes their farewell performance at the Musikhochschule in Berlin. The live album, captured on a 12" Vinyl LP, showcases Sweet Smoke's diverse sonic palette and marks the end of an era in the world of rock history.
