Jefferson Starship-Spitfire (1976)

“Spitfire” was Jefferson Starship’s third album and the tenth in the Jefferson saga, not counting the work of Hot Tuna, the other side project of the dynasty comprised of Jack Cassidy and Jorma Kaukonen. On this third release, guitarist Craig Chaquico takes center stage, composing four of the album’s nine tracks and contributing his unmistakable guitar work to the final product. However, the band’s style gradually shifted towards catchier, more commercial sounds, without abandoning the characteristic complexity that Paul Katner used to infuse into Starship’s sound. Even so, the album features standout tracks such as the psychedelic “Cruisin’ ”, the dark, gospel-tinged “Hot Water” with Grace Slick’s sensitive vocals, the complex “St. Charles”, the progressive “Song To The Sun / Ozymandies / Don’t Let It Rain”, and the melodic “With Your Love” and “Switchblade”. To close out the album, they tackled the country-rock tracks "Big City" and the energetic "Love Lovely Love", creating an eclectic yet cohesive and homogeneous record. "Spitfire" didn't achieve the same sales or success as its predecessor, "Red Octopus", but it did reach platinum status and number three on the US Billboard charts.