Five tragically underrated pop artists from the 1960s

Asylum Choir

Asylum Choir only released one record when the members were still a band. There was a second full-length release that came out in 1971, but this was long after the duo stopped recording. One of the duo was Leon Russell who has become somewhat of an iconic solo performer. The other part of the duo, Marc Benno, played guitar on the Doors' LA Woman album. But Asylum Choir, especially their first record, Look Inside the Asylum Choir, is worth your listen because of the excellent musicianship.

The duo churned out psychedelic songs but mostly in three minutes or less. But their tunes aren't just spacey songs about ethereal beings. There is a large tinge of New Orleans mixed with Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles to most tracks which gives the tunes an other-worldly feel. Completely listenable and enjoyable, the album is worth finding and playing in high rotation.

The Youngbloods

If one did not know where the Youngbloods were from, one may have guessed California and maybe they spent a bit too much time hanging around with members of the Grateful Dead. Instead, the original full band was a mixture of players from the eastern part of the United States but rooted in New York City. But there is nothing NYC about the sound which incorporates bluegrass, jazz, folk, and rock.

Most people might know the single, "Get Together" (if not from the song itself then Krist Novoselic "singing" a part of it at the beginning of Nirvana's "Territorial Pissings"), but "Darkness, Darkness" is also a standout and "Ride the Wind" has an excellent bluesy feel. You might need to set some quiet time to experience the Youngbloods and breathe in the tracks, but they will be worth your time. They might even be the cure for anxiety.

Read more from AudioPhix