Sweet Smoke – "Just a Poke" 12" Vinyl LP Album

- German Krautrock debut recorded with Conny Plank, featuring long-form psychedelic jazz fusion

Album Front Cover Photo of Sweet Smoke – Just a Poke Visit: https://vinyl-records.nl/

"Just a Poke" is the 1970 debut album by Sweet Smoke, an American band that relocated to Germany and became part of the Krautrock movement. Produced by Rosie Schmitz and Winfried Ebert, and engineered by Conny Plank, this two-track masterpiece — “Baby Night” and “Silly Sally” — combines psychedelic rock, jazz improvisation, and meditative energy into an immersive sonic journey. With surreal cover art by Jan Fijnheer, this album stands as one of the most atmospheric statements in early 1970s progressive rock.

Table of Contents

"Just a Poke" Album Description:

The early 1970s were a pivotal time for the music world, marked by the rise of various genres that would forever change the musical landscape. Among these transformative movements was Krautrock, a genre that emerged primarily in West Germany and represented a unique fusion of rock, electronic, and experimental music. One of the genre's iconic releases during this period was "Just a Poke" by the band Sweet Smoke.

The Birth of Sweet Smoke

To understand the creation of "Just a Poke," we must first explore the origins of Sweet Smoke. The band's roots trace back to the United States, where its members initially formed as a jazz-influenced group called "Ashkan" in Brooklyn, New York. In 1969, the band decided to relocate to Europe, where the music scene was experiencing a period of tremendous experimentation and innovation.

Settling in Germany

Upon their arrival in Europe, the band decided to settle in Germany, a nation that was becoming a hotbed for musical experimentation. It was here that the group underwent a transformation and a change in both their musical style and name. Ashkan rebranded themselves as Sweet Smoke, embracing a more diverse and progressive approach to their music.

"Just a Poke": The Genesis

Sweet Smoke's debut album, "Just a Poke," marked a significant turning point in their musical journey. Released in 1970, the album is a sprawling, two-track masterpiece that epitomizes the Krautrock movement's penchant for lengthy, improvised compositions.

"Baby Night" and "Silly Sally"

The album consists of two tracks: "Baby Night" and "Silly Sally." "Baby Night" opens the album with a mesmerizing blend of rock, jazz, and Eastern-inspired instrumentation. Clocking in at over 20 minutes, it showcases the band's ability to create complex, ever-evolving soundscapes that take the listener on a transcendent voyage.

"Silly Sally," the second and final track on the album, is another sprawling epic that spans over 22 minutes. The song incorporates elements of psychedelia, blues, and rock, featuring intricate guitar work and powerful vocal harmonies.

The German Release

"Just a Poke" was initially released in Germany, where the Krautrock movement was in full swing. The album's release on 12" vinyl LP in 1970 was met with critical acclaim and established Sweet Smoke as a force to be reckoned with in the Krautrock scene.

Legacy and Influence

"Just a Poke" and Sweet Smoke's unique sound had a lasting impact on the Krautrock movement. The album's fusion of diverse musical influences, extensive improvisation, and experimental approach inspired countless other artists in Germany and beyond.

While the band did not achieve the same level of mainstream success as some of their contemporaries, Sweet Smoke left an indelible mark on the world of progressive and experimental music. Their legacy endures, and "Just a Poke" remains a cherished artifact of the Krautrock era, a testament to the band's commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Krautrock / Psych Acid Fusion / Jazz / Progressive Rock

"Just a Poke" by Sweet Smoke is an archetype of early 1970s German progressive rock, blending psychedelic soundscapes with jazz improvisation and acid-tinged experimentation. Its long tracks showcase instrumental interplay and hypnotic grooves typical of the Krautrock era.

Collector Notes / Liner Notes
  • 1: The song "Baby Night" is the perfect introduction to the band, displaying their progressive jazz fusion style at the time. The song can be divided into three main sections, the highlights being the instrumental sections.
  • 2: Liner notes by Om Shanti.
Label & Catalognr:

Columbia – Cat#: 1C 064-28 886 (064-28886)

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl LP
Total Weight: 200 gram

Year & Country:

1970 – Made in Germany

Producers:
  • Rosie Schmitz – Producer
    Rosie Schmitz was an influential figure in the early German rock scene, known for her role in bringing underground and experimental acts to studio production during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
  • Winfried Ebert – Producer
    Winfried Ebert was a German producer active in the Krautrock and jazz-fusion circuits, recognized for his technical precision and open-minded approach that encouraged improvisation in recording sessions.
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Conny Plank – Sound Engineer
    Conny Plank: Legendary producer of Krautrock. Shaped the sound of Kraftwerk, Neu!, Cluster & more. A true pioneer in electronic music. Learn more about him
    Considered one of Germany’s most innovative producers, Plank’s engineering work helped define the sound of progressive and experimental music throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Klaus Lohmer – Sound Engineer
    Klaus Lohmer worked as a recording engineer in the vibrant German rock scene, contributing to sessions at Star Musikproduktion and with several influential Krautrock and jazz artists.
Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Jan Fijnheer – Album Cover Design (1970)
    Jan Fijnheer was a Dutch visual artist active in the 1960s–70s whose psychedelic and abstract graphic work appeared on several progressive and jazz LPs. His designs are known for their vivid use of colour and surreal imagery.
Photography:
  • Joachim Hassenburgs – Liner Photo
    German photographer Joachim Hassenburgs captured numerous artists within the 1970s European underground scene, his candid black-and-white shots often appearing in LP gatefolds and liner notes.
Liner Notes:

We've blazed a trail in our hearts
A place to watch our music grow
A place to rest, so walk our path
To sing a song for every soul
And with a vision of heaven in our
hearts and the devil at our feet,
We ascend this musical staircase
Always crying, for we are the victims
of love
OM SHANTI

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Andy Dershin – Bass
    Founding bassist of Sweet Smoke, known for his warm, rhythmic playing that anchored the band’s improvisational style. His fluid basslines provided the backbone for the long, jazz-infused compositions that defined "Just a Poke".
  • Jay Dorfman – Drums
    Jay Dorfman’s dynamic drumming fused rock power with the finesse of jazz percussion. His energetic yet controlled rhythms became a cornerstone of Sweet Smoke’s sound, helping the band stand out in the Krautrock and psych-jazz scene.
  • Marvin Kaminowitz – Lead Guitar, Vocals
    As the lead guitarist and one of the primary vocalists, Marvin Kaminowitz’s expressive guitar tone and melodic phrasing drove the improvisational character of the band. His work on "Just a Poke" remains a highlight of early 1970s European fusion rock.
  • Michael Paris – Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Flute, Percussion
    Multi-instrumentalist Michael Paris brought a distinctive jazz sensibility to Sweet Smoke through his saxophone and flute performances. His contributions added harmonic depth and a signature melodic voice that helped bridge psychedelic rock and jazz.
  • Steve Rosenstein – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
    Steve Rosenstein provided the steady rhythm guitar foundation and vocal harmonies that balanced the band’s experimental edge. After Sweet Smoke, he continued to perform in various jazz-rock fusion ensembles in Europe.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Silly Sally
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Baby Night
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Sweet Smoke's 1970 Krautrock album 'Just a Poke'. The artwork features a surreal psychedelic illustration with vivid, contrasting colors: a pair of turquoise-blue hands in prayer-like position, fingertips glowing green, and a stylized face with jeweled eyes and purple shading leaning close. A colorful bird stands to the right, while swirling clouds, a dreamlike night sky with a crescent moon, and ornate lettering reading 'Sweet Smoke' and 'Just a Poke' complete this hallucinatory composition.

The album’s front cover art of “Just a Poke” by Sweet Smoke is a psychedelic explosion of color and surreal imagery, reflecting the experimental spirit of the early 1970s Krautrock movement. The central image shows a pair of turquoise-blue hands, fingers tipped with bright green, clasped together as if in meditation or prayer. Between them rises a striped pipe with stars — its smoke curling into dreamy forms that spell out the band’s name, “Sweet Smoke.”

Above the hands, a large stylized face hovers — pale violet, with hypnotic, jewel-like green eyes and a mysterious smile — gazing down toward the pipe. The background merges multiple dimensions: a red and purple cosmic night sky with a crescent moon and a castle-like silhouette on the left, while on the right, a peacock-like bird stands against warm pink and yellow tones.

The artwork, designed by Jan Fijnheer in 1970, perfectly captures the album’s fusion of jazz, rock, and transcendental energy. Its swirling forms and vibrant palette evoke the sensation of altered perception and musical improvisation — a visual trip into the ethereal sound world of Sweet Smoke.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Sweet Smoke's 1970 German Columbia album 'Just a Poke'. The layout is minimalistic and mostly white, with black text listing the two tracks 'Silly Sally' and 'Baby Night' along with production credits, musician roles, and liner notes. A monochrome photograph shows the five band members performing outdoors beneath a skeletal arched canopy surrounded by tall trees, their amplifiers and instruments aligned on stage. The image captures the band's relaxed, freeform Krautrock atmosphere.

The back cover of “Just a Poke” reflects Sweet Smoke’s understated yet spiritual identity. Printed in minimalist black text on a cream background, it lists the two sprawling tracks — “Silly Sally” and “Baby Night” — together with detailed musician credits, production information, and the poetic liner dedication signed OM SHANTI.

Below the credits, a striking black-and-white photograph captures the band performing live outdoors under a tubular metal canopy. The five members — bass, drums, saxophone, guitar, and rhythm guitar — stand in natural light, surrounded by tall trees arching overhead like a cathedral of sound. The image conveys the group’s communal energy and improvisational freedom at the heart of their Krautrock fusion.

The photo, credited to Joachim Hassenburgs, complements the album’s introspective tone: a moment of raw performance preserved amid nature’s stillness. The simplicity of the design mirrors the purity and openness of Sweet Smoke’s music.

Close-up Photo of Record Label
Close-up of the German Columbia record label for Sweet Smoke's 1970 album 'Just a Poke'. The label features a gradient from pale blue to white with the Columbia logo—a stylized musical note within an oval—printed at the top. Text in black includes 'Columbia', 'Stereo', catalog number 1C 064-28 886 A, and track listing for Side 1: 'Baby Night (Sweet Smoke) 16:24'. German rights warnings, GEMA STEMRA logo, and LC 0162 label code appear along the rim, printed with typical precision of late-1960s/1970s EMI Electrola pressings.

This close-up photograph captures the German Columbia record label of Sweet Smoke’s 1970 LP “Just a Poke.” The label design features a gentle gradient fading from pale blue at the top to white at the bottom — a hallmark of Columbia’s late 1960s and early 1970s aesthetic under EMI Electrola.

Centered at the top is the iconic Columbia musical note logo enclosed in an oval, followed by the brand name in bold white letters. Below, in clear black type, appear the words “Stereo,” the catalog number 1C 064-28 886 A, and the title “Just a Poke.” The track listed is “Baby Night (Sweet Smoke) 16:24,” printed in a clean, no-nonsense sans-serif font.

Around the edges are small inscriptions indicating GEMA/Stemra rights, German copyright warnings, and the LC 0162 label code. The crisp typography and balanced layout reflect the precision of German pressing standards, while the minimalist palette complements the album’s introspective yet cosmic mood.

Index of SWEET SMOKE Album Cover Gallery & 12" Vinyl LP Discography Information

thumbnail image of album front cover
SWEET SMOKE- Just a Poke (1978 French Release)

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.

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thumbnail of front cover click image to view entire webpage
SWEET SMOKE - Just a Poke (1970 German Release)

“Just a Poke” is the mind-bending debut by Sweet Smoke, an American band who found their creative home in Germany’s Krautrock scene. Released in 1970, it blends jazz improvisation, psychedelic grooves, and hypnotic guitar jams into two sprawling tracks. Engineered by Conny Plank, it’s a meditative, free-flowing journey through sound and spirit.

Album front cover with lots of smoke
SWEET SMOKE - Live ( 1974 Germany )

"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.

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