Yes, those were the days .... because there was real innovation in music and people to explore the new dimensions to dare, here but also on skill and virtuosity now great store. Similar in concept as KRAAN Sweet Smoke was a band of "hippie era" which drew their music mainly from the shared community life. After the start of the band in years of study in New York, the band then moved the late 60s to the Netherlands / Germany and was now on - interestingly - as a German band. "Just a Poke" was the first attempt and it went much to long guitar solos and improvisation but amazing swinging / almost jazzy Rythmen.Das "phased" drum solo in the 2nd song was even a time the background at the gym in the early 70s when the guests on skis simulated a descent and was certainly not least by the first time noticed by many. As mentioned in a previous review was of course the final of the 1st song "Silly Sally" an interpretation of DOORS "Soft Parade" ", then still a big hit. "Darkness to Light", the second disc is - among other things, certainly by the joint India trip and the inevitable thereby come into contact with a spirituality which increasingly began in the West in those years to spread and coming from Asia just had its roots in Yoga - definitely much more sophisticated in terms of composition and Arrangement.Zur bigger here diversity leads the widening of the margins by a few additional musicians / friends, including the cello and the viola. Strong autobiographical texts of the search for meaning and the religious experience come here - perhaps similar to "Quintessence's" albums - in the foreground. Very versatile and varied repertoire, clearer sound and the highlight of their life together as a community. The 3rd and final disc was then the famous "Live" album, in the University of Berlin. again more guitars in the foreground and probably the best passages common Jammens.Gibt's with 3 bonus songs previously released on LP were not there now. Unfortunately, the tape is then disappeared / broken apart like so many groups of similar music at this time. Drug problems and very different interests ended the project "Sweet Smoke" too soon and what remains are 3 unforgettable, unique and extremely creative albums will surely among the best that has been produced in these years and clearer and more honest than most other concurrent projects to bring true spirit and mood of the search and the departure of an entire generation to express. 5 stars and necessarily purely hear!
