Just by looking at the cover artwork and the album name you can tell there's an instant discharge of retro and, delving deeper, that's exactly what you get from this New York based band. Smoke is a throw-back to the days of spacey, psychedelic rock - those wild late 60's and early 70's. And you can smell in the 'Smoke' heady wafts of weed intermingled with patchouli soaked afghan, as the music conjures up pictures of happy people with flowers in their hair.

But let’s not simplify things too much as this album offers more than you might expect. The basis of many songs remains consistent, that stoner-induced fuzz, the 'wailing guitar' sound of Hendrix, a blues influence that often comes out in freestyle slick emotional solos and vocals that are reminiscent of Monster Magnet. But across the album there's stoner (repetitive and already implied), blues and psychedelia, as well as classic rock, Hawkwind-esque atmospheric space flights, and even some doomy Sabbath-sounding metal.

M-Squad have managed to produce a package that has a multi-layered groove to the songs, making for a final ingredient of character that completes the authentic feeling of the era. This has really taken us by surprise as the initial thought wasn't particularly appealing, but after a couple of serious listens Smoke is actually an enjoyable album. It contains well-written and well-formed songs - although containing very little new material - it's highly entertaining and is the perfect antidote to a long hard day. Some may prefer the originals, others ask if there's a place for this type of music today. We say don't worry about it - just furnish the room with incense, dim
the lights, sit back and take a 'Smoke'.

Jadina Lilien