Additional personnel: Nicky Hopkins (piano); Stephen Stills (organ); Joey Covington (percussion); David Crosby, Mary Gannon, Denise Jewkes, Diane Hursh, Marilyn Hunt (background vocals).

Liner Note Author: Jeff Tamarkin.

Recording information: Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA (12/18/1965-09/22/1972).

Photographer: Jim Marshall .

Arranger: Jorma Kaukonen.

RCA/Legacy's 32-track Jefferson Airplane retrospective focuses on the influential psychedelic rock collective's late-'60s/early-'70s heydays. From 1966 (Jefferson Airplane Takes Off) through 1972 (Thirty Seconds Over Winterland), the group released nine albums that effectively shadowed the era, blending social themes with drugs, paranoia, and youthful rebellion/revolution. Essential may be a bit much for the casual fan, as its two discs delve deep into the group's eclectic catalog, stacking lost gems like "Eskimo Blue Day" and "Third Week in the Chelsea" alongside radio staples like "Somebody to Love," "White Rabbit," and "Volunteers," but those who are willing to take the plunge will be rewarded with the band's most thorough, informative, and thoughtfully paced anthology to date. ~ James Christopher Monger