Takes Off

VINYL FORMAT. There is a reason why the Jefferson Airplane was the first nationally renowned proponent of San Francisco rock. As much as they bucked establishment values, the sextet offered a musical mixture of California folk-rock and white blues that was nevertheless easier to digest than the sounds of their contemporaries. Takes Off, their debut recording, made before Grace Slick joined the band, goes to great lengths to establish them as the obvious next step on a pop staircase of the Beatles, Byrds, and Rolling Stones. Signe Anderson and Marty Balin`s distinctive, folky harmonies give Takes Off a lived-in warmth and a loved-in counterculture vibe that defined the times. Covers of John D. Loudermilk`s infamous "Tobacco Road" and The Youngbloods` `60s anthem "Let`s Get Together" may have symbolized their community`s alienation from their parents` values, but the Airplane versions were less calls to arms than sympathetic pats on the back. However, Jorma Kaukonen`s boppy R&B guitar leads and Jack Casady`s free but steady bass lend the Airplane`s debut some heavy rock muscle.