Cellophane Symphony by Tommy James & The Shondells (1969)

I feel bad for those poor tweeners back in 1969, who rushed out to buy Tommy James & The Shondells' newest effort, Cellophane Symphony, expecting the next Hanky Panky, I Think We're Alone Now, or Crimson & Clover to fulfill their bubblegum dreams. Instead, the first track(the title track) was a nine-plus minute instrumental psychedelic journey. They must have been so confused. But I must, these many years later, be thankful for Tommy James and the gang taking a risk to create some super interesting music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qNQXb18l8g

Metal Melts the Ice by Jag Panzer (1983)

Jag Panzer, hailing from Colorado Springs, was another U.S. heavy metal band that was inspired by the NWOBHM, but with a slightly darker feel. Here on their first EP the production value may not be the highest, but you get a sense of the band's power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfTmVq_LLbI

We Are Rolling by Medeski Martin & Wood (2000)

This is not your grandfather's jazz! Medeski Martin & Wood cranked out some weird, wonderful avant-garde jazz(with a beat) from 1992 to 2014. These guys are musician's musicians. Hopefully, they'll get back to releasing some more stuff soon. Here they are from the turn of the century with a track off of their LP, The Dropper. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Og0txQdrw

Out of Uranus by Killing Floor (1970)

British blues rockers, Killing Floor, managed two release a couple of rockin' albums before calling it quits in 1972. Here they are off of their second release with the title track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-LZUqmkHWQ

Ne Me Laisse Pas L'aimer by Brigitte Bardot (1963)

Brigitte Bardot was a supermodel before the term was coined. She was also an actress who appeared in dozens of movies in the 60's and 70's. Many people under the age of 50, though, don't know that she was also a singer with numerous albums and singles to her credit. Here is one of her earlier tracks, a chanson number called Ne Me Laisse Pas L'aimer, translated at "Don't Let Me Love It". BTW, I linked to a lyrics Youtube video of the song as most of the fan compilation videos were a bit creepy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkdips1Fceg

Get It Together by The Jackson 5 (1974)

The late Joe Jackson sure kept his kids working. The Jackson 5 released twelve studio albums between 1969 and 1976. Their first two albums have a lot of soulful gems, but my favorite would be their 1973 LP, Get It Together. It was definitely their funkiest output. Here is the title track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoGmudmpmDs

Lookalikes by The Drones (1977)

Originally a glam rock band called Rockslide when this Manchester group formed in 1974, the band members astutely changed their sound to punk by 1976 and changed their name to the Drones. A year later, they recorded their debut EP, Temptations of a White Collar Worker. Here is a track off of that release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8mTNKPz6p0